Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => SpeedWeek 2014 => Topic started by: thefrenchowl on July 30, 2014, 08:48:28 AM
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Hi,
Time is getting near...
Has any one got some news from the Salt Flats about the surface condition?
Thanks in advance...
Patrick
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Isolated thunder storms the last few days. 30% chance of rain today, but then the forcast clears up. Supposed to be 93 degrees in the day, and 67 at night.
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Take a look for yourself.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.7371490590005&lon=-114.0375068349997&site=all&smap=1#.U9jzZECC7Fx
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Jon goes to the true source; from which all the others report.
Here is a little more insight.
If one can believe Wunderground.com; the almanac shows very little precip in the last few days.
Salt lake and the mountains have had some intense monsoon storms, mudslides, etc.10 day looks good at this point.
http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/zmw:89883.1.99999
Almanac; History
Almanac for July 30, 2014
KENV Forecast Average * Range *
Temperature
High 88 °F 92 °F 84 to 102 °F
Low 68 °F 68 °F 60 to 78 °F
Precipitation
Rain 0 in 0.00 in 0.00 to 0.05 in
It is almost as if Wendover is the hole in the doughnut.
Jim
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Let's just hope that "donut hole" stays right where it is!
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At the test and Tune you could see rain all around, but not on the salt
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Thanks...
And fingers crossed...
Patrick
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At the test and Tune you could see rain all around, but not on the salt
Yep, so just looking at Wendover doesn't always give one the true picture of what is going on just a few miles away on the salt :-)
Sum
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Five or six years ago at Speedweek, we awoke to rain in Wendover. Thinking there was no use going to the salt early, we went and had a leisurely breakfast. Still raining in Wendover when we headed to the salt flats. Upon arrival, no rain whatsoever and they had been running all morning.
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It is almost as if Wendover is the hole in the doughnut.
Jim
There's a reason that Wendover is a train town. It's the last place you could get water in sufficient quantities to run a locomotive into SLC.
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There's a reason that Wendover is a train town. It's the last place you could get water in sufficient quantities to run a locomotive into SLC.
I thought it was the last place to get good beer before a run to SLC :-D
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At this time at the Bonneville salt flats there is a 4 day rocket club event, the salt looks very good and little or no dampness. This was on channel 13 fox news from salt lake. :cheers:BTW some of these rockets go as high as 10,000 feet. FAA has given them the ok every year.
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I've been to the Rocket meet,,,, some very nice people with a passion for what they are doing. Very impressive,,,,,,,, if you have never seen them do their thing !!!!!!!!!
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Here's one about the new wheel packer -- and the very important need to finish paying for it. It has been shipped - but about 2/3 paid. Some good handful of thousands of dollars still need paying. Be a hero, as the post says.
You too can Be a “HERO” and own part of our New Bonneville Salt Crusher
For only $500.00 to-$995.00 you and your company will receive special recognition at the 100th year anniversary of Bonneville.
“The Century of Speed”. Your credit has been pre-approved and the payments will be only $19.00 per mouth!
Please give me a call.
Ron Main 818-523-7005 (operators are standing by for your pledge)
This is what we need to make sure that we can provide you with the best Bonneville course possible!
By the way, I suppose I should tell you that there are 7 or eight wheels in front of these -- with the location of them staggered to provide full coverage over the total width of the machine.
If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket - give Ron a call and offer some. So far this machine has been paid for by a few pretty large donors, but since those have already given for the good of the courses - now it's time for us (the real people without scads of money or corporations in our budget) to pony up. Thanks.
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Are the tires certifed by SCTA....what speed?
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Are you certified or qualifide to ask that question?
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Ron, I think you need to offer jump seat rides in Speed Demon for the big donors, that would get the checkbooks to open up.
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Salt conditions are being sent to me from Scott daily now and will be posted daily on the SCTA Facebook page, starting today.
Www.Facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation
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FYI weather service reporting 60% chance of rain today near Wendover but so far the radar shows nothing in the area.
For those not familiar with it there is a web cam near the port of entry station (unfortunately looking toward town) which shows a few showers in the mountains to the west of Wendover but dry roads right now.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/images/slc/camera/loopCams.php?camName=envpoe&numFrames=10
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Here we are in SLC - and it's raining. Pouring a little while ago while we were eating, but medium heavy sprinkles right now. The forecast for the salt sure looks ominous but the radar out there (from SLC but that's beside the point) shows the rain in most every direction - but not on the salt itself, Nothing new as of just now on the SCTA website since 8 this morning's post.
We'll head out there tomorrow by noon or so. Let me know if you find out anything more informative than this. Thanks.
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A heavy thundershower went thru hotrod's webcam link (above) at 18:00 & 18:10. Radar showed much heavier precip to the east. The airport got a (daily) record rainfall of .27" in approx. 15 minutes at that time.
I guess we'll have to wait for official word.
Mike
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Jon,
Please do not park right next to the WGB. We need another 20' for a team member.
Thanks,
DW
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Okey-dokey, Dan. I'll stay kinda near -- we like the neighborhood if not the neighbors :evil:
Nothing new other than the forecast doesn't look too promising. Nothing fresh on the SCTA website. It's cloudy here in SLC. We'll head out there later -- probably arriving mid-day. Let us know if you find out anything -- as I'm sure any of us will do.
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There's a new FB post saying there were sprinkles on the course - but not much and no real rain. Wet around Land's End, but don't turn around and go home. Scott Andrews says (on FB) that we'll be racing on Saturday. if it'll open -- take a look at the second entry: https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation
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Oh salt gods, please do the right thing!!!! :cheers: :cheers:
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We're here, we're here! Our same as always room at the Quality Inn in the megalopolis of Wendover! But - on the way into town we were listening to Jim Jensen and Freddie Dannenfelzer in their drag trucks, and Russ Eyres, too. From what we could hear, there are some (few) spots where it's pretty wet. Wet enough, that is, to make dragging not worth the trouble at this time, Jim told Fred that all he (Fred) was moving during one pass was water. But on the way better side, both of them were making comments like "We might as well quit -- it won't get any better than this." They were busy dragging turnouts. As is common, farther down the courses it's wetter. The only one for sure (that is, the mentioned the location) was a god way down course #3.
We didn't go onto the salt - turned around at Land's End. We could see puddles all over the place, yes - but the access sure enough is much better - built up and dry, dry. After that it looked okay, but I couldn't see for myself. We'll probably go out there later and drop the trailer and then I'll give you a more detailed report.
But as of now, I say again: "Don't turn around!". I'll amend this post in a few minutes.
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Which God was on #3? :-D :-D :-D :-D
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Smarty pants. It was Wodin - god of thunder and that stuff, I believe. I'd go change the post - but hey, enjoy one :evil:of my typos.
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does the tractor have an SCTA certrified roll cage?
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Did the track get as much rain as the weather radar suggested last night? :(
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Track has a few inches of standing water on it from yesterday. Today is another day and let's hope for some wind.
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I've heard, but not seen, that there is water on the track. The toilets will be arriving in a couple of hours so for sure we'll know then. We'll head out there soon, but if it's really we we won't go onto the salt until we have to do so. Let it dry, let it dry.
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There -- I've done it and started a new topic that'll be for use during the event itself. This one is for stuff going on the days just before SpeedWeek begins - and as the event moves along.
First reports: Yes, there's water on the courses. No, it's not all that bad and it's drying as I type. Right at Land's End it's a couple of inches deep, and the farther north you go - at least to the 7, where we turned around, it gets drier and drier. From a bit past the 5 (course 1) it's all dry - no water in sight. The other courses aren't tht good yet, but the wind is blowing briskly from the freeway towards the mountains - and that means it's drying where we want it dry. Here in the pits it's pretty wet on the surface - but the amount of visibly standing water is down lots since we dropped our trailer here 4 hours ago. That's all good.
Under the water - and where it's dry - the salt is smoooooooooth. Nice and hard and smooooooth on the courses. Fred Dannenfelzer (who drives a drag truck as well as his new liner) is pleased as punch about how good the course is this time around. There ARE lots of crunchy spots - but not where we really care about them. Well - between the access/return road on course 1 and the pits the surface is crunchy - so use the pit entrances that have been dragged.
The pit layout has been changed a bit, but not so much that I'll need to tell you how to find your way around. They're still over a mile long - lots of front-row seating this year again. No problemeau, so to speak.
I won't bother posting a photo of the inner fender of this truck (as I usually do) 'cause there's not much there but wet stuff -- no salt stuck on the insides.
Final note: If you've reserved a private toilet from Honey Buckets -- they'll be stationed at the SSS pit. But - we've got a list to mark down when you take yours, and if you take it without getting on the list -- yours won't be serviced. We'll rope off the private units so you'll have to be rude and remove the rope - or you'll have to wait for us to come release one (or whatever) for you. Please -- don't take yours 'til we let you take yours.
Here are a few photos showing the wetness. The Honey Buckets trucks arriving on the salt, the course 1 start line, and a close up of a muddy crunchy.
Onward and upward. See you on the salt.
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Eyes on the salt tell me there is standing water out to the start line & wet salt from there. Tech is likely to be at the airport with a possible one day delay in starting the meet.
Sid.
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At 3:40 PST, Wendover under thunderstorm warning and weather radar showing salt flats getting hammered by severe thunderstorms.
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I merged the prior topic about conditions - into this one.
We just got off the salt. it's about 5 here in town, and the weather here is fine. Don't turn around, don't unpack your trailer, don't cancel your rooms - at least yet.
Yes, rainstorm hit the salt about 3PM. It rained pretty hard -- hard enough in the pits that the surface that had been wet with a few puddles -- was more like 3/4" to deeper here and there. And windy -- whoo-boy, windy. All day long it's been 10-15 from east to west, blowing the water towards the mountains. During the storm it reversed - moving the water back onto the pits and the courses. Since the prevailing wind usually moves the water towards the mountains -- don't be surprised when tomorrow morning's report says there is way less water out there than there is right now. All I can say is - stay tuned for more. How windy was it? A handful of toilets blew over already. I guess it's better now than later when the water in them isn't pure blue and clean. Oh, yeah - speaking of toilets - - if you've got rented toilet(s) they'll be stationed at the SSS pit. You need to come over, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK WITH NANCY OR ME SO WE CAN MAKE A NOTE THAT YOU'VE TAKEN IT, and then take the unit to your pit. They drag pretty easily behind a pickup/SUV - bring a 15-20' tow strap or rope. If you haven't yet paid for yours (almost everyone has) you need to contact Trevor Inman at Honey Buckets to give him the $$ information. We can't take it/we can't release the toilet without it.
A couple of important points that I'll post here and elsewhere include the license/stickers for OHVs. Most important is that the rule is a state thing, not federal, so the Utah police/sheriff will be there to enforce. But to make it as easy as possible they'll station a person at the Metro - the Salt Flats cafe/truck stop, and also at the West Wendover Visitor Center so you can easily get your $30 permit. They'll have at least two officers patrolling the pit area (and I don't know where else) on Saturday (I don't know when else). As has been mentioned elsewhere, it's up to you to make sure your home state of registration has reciprocal licensing with Utah. "I dunno, Officer. Wouldja look it up for me?" -- probably won't get you out of a ticket.
These photos will give you a visual sense of the surface. This was BEFORE the most recent rain. It was raining too hard to stop for photos when we left :-o. By the way, that is not an ark you see in the photo - that's the multi-story timing tower. :-D
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Some other information is more of a reminder. Just a few years ago, reminded Drew Pietsch, was the time there was about four inches of water at Land's End. The start line was submerged. The race event started one day late and the line was moved one mile down the course. It was a fine event with good salt.
Don't worry about it for now. We'll stay in touch with conditions and let you know. :-D
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In the 1990 we had a rain delay for a couple of days and a heck of a meet anyway don't call it quits until SCTA says so. THINK DRY.
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SCTA just announced on their Facebook page the following (link --> http://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation (http://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation)) [link fixed]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Bonneville Salt Flats experienced a flash cell that came over within the last hour. This storm left additional water on the BSF that had been drying nicely. Therefore the SCTA has decided to delay all activities one full day. Inspection will be held Friday with the first racing day now scheduled for Sunday the 10th. Please do not use the access road as you will simply be turned around. The SCTA will provide an update tomorrow afternoon with current information on the condition of the BSF. We apologize for the delay but Mother Nature has thrown us a curve. We still believe that the event will occur based upon the current weather forecast.
-Scott Andrews
SCTA President
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That link empty... unless maybe you have a login :x
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It's not on the SCTA web site yet. One day delay due to water, Salt will be open on Friday for pit set up and Inspection.
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That link empty... unless maybe you have a login :x
Stainless,
Here is what it said.
Tom G.
https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation?fref=ts
SCTA Southern California Timing Association
32 minutes ago
Bonneville Salt Report Wednesday, August 6th @ 5:23AM: <This should be PM>
IMMEDIATE RELEASE IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Bonneville Salt Flats experienced a flash cell that came over within the last hour. This storm left additional water on the BSF that had been drying nicely. Therefore the SCTA has decided to delay all activities one full day. Inspection will be held Friday with the first racing day now scheduled for Sunday the 10th. Please do not use the access road as you will simply be turned around. The SCTA will provide an update tomorrow afternoon with current information on the condition of the BSF. We apologize for the delay but Mother Nature has thrown us a curve. We still believe that the event will occur based upon the current weather forecast.
-Scott Andrews
SCTA President
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Can we assume there will also be tech on Saturday?
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There is tech everyday.
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Thanks Tom
Looks like we will hang around Denver for another day
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This isn't good. First there was an outage of this website. Then it rained. And thundered and lightninged. And it poured and rained some more. And so, as of right now (as I listen to the thunder out there) we're told that nobody will be allowed out on the salt tomorrow. I'll make the guess (my guess, NOT informed words) that we might make tracks or ruts on the salt or get stuck in a soft spot. You're welcome to add your own ideas - but they, no matter how good they are, won't get you permission to go there tomorrow. We were eating supper at the Mexican restaurant down Aria Avenue, on Wendover Blvd, down from the corner between the Montego and Shell station next to the Nugget. It rained danged hard while we were in there, but it didn't make the food any less good. Fine size portions, quick service, pleasantly low prices - and yet another new name (we think). Last year it was "Garlic and Onions" and now it's "Los Compadres", I think. It used to be Mildred's - with scads of different hamburgers. other names, too - but whatever, don't skip it just because you think it might not be good.
I can't think of anything else for right now, but will promise that as I hear stuff I will relay it to hear. Keep your ears/eyes open on the SCTA Facebook page if you use FB and don't be afraid to post something from there on here.
I'd go on but Nancy is beckoning. :evil:
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For those that can't find the SCTA link...here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation
FREUD
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More time to catch up with you, Freud.
See you Friday.
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My dad and I are heading to Speed Week for the first time and flying into SLC Saturday Morning, and (unfortunately) also staying in SLC for our trip. Is it worth driving out to the Bonneville on Saturday if the racing is cancelled? We are headed back home Monday evening so I was hoping to spend as much time on the salt as possible, but didn't know if it was worth the 200 mile commute on Saturday if nothing was going on. Thanks.
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You might want to bring a boat with you. :roll:
Sid.
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It depends on your view of racing, if all you want to see is cars going fast, than tech inspection is not too interesting.
If however you appreciate the engineering art of race car construction, then it is perhaps the best place to get a good look at the cars.
Once tech inspection gets rolling you have a continuous parade of cars which are all coming to one location to be poked probed and examined in detail by the inspectors.
During the inspection they take panels off that fully expose the internal structure of the car and you can see the marvelous construction many of these cars exhibit.
As some say many of the top cars show off "aerospace" class construction which is quite simply an art form. They have spent thousands of hours on designing and packaging the cars to get all the pieces in place so they are not just safe and functional but also easy to service essential functions.
If you like functional racing engineering I would say you would enjoy a day walking around tech inspection looking over the cars.
( if it is still ankle deep in salt water --- not so much)
I hope things will dry out quickly a favorable wind can blow several inches of water away in push it far across the flats outside the race course. Once standing water is off the course it typically takes just a day or so for the wind and sun to return it to a drivable surface. Hot and windy is best for that drying process but even a good breeze will make a big difference.
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This morning......
From Facebook. :wink:
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OOF! :-o
That looks UGLY!
Steve.
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We definitely have an interest in seeing the cars and the engineering involved.
Is there a certain time of day it would be better to watch cars roll through tech? Is there any order to how the different classes will roll through tech?
Thanks for the info.
It depends on your view of racing, if all you want to see is cars going fast, than tech inspection is not too interesting.
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I think it might be prudent to wait for some official word from SCTA based on the photos shown above.
My heart just sank into my shoes.
Steve.
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Well.. No tape measure.. But the "data".. Of the wheel / water level seems about 4" to 5" of water.. Then again just an opinion. Sooo Mike did you get your fuel rails done? Bob
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Wow, looks like a picture of the salt in May.
BR
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My untrained eyes see those photos and trigger thoughts of "There is no way that those flats will be race-able within a week".
I'm hoping that someone who knows a lot more about the subject will weigh in.
Getting ready to start the long drive Westward within 15 minutes.
Steve.
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To answer the main question; tech starts in the morning and goes till mid afternoon, usually.
Can somebody verify the rumor about tech happening at the airport?
I guess Mayor Mike has all the keys to the city, including the hanger.
Last fall the racers were huddled in there awaiting clearing weather that never came.
Regards,
Jim
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Racing depends on wind and sun--- wind can blow the water OFF the track or pile it up on it!!
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With that amount of water the only place it has to go is to Intrepid. This year is a buy one get one free for them.
Sid.
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Current NWS weather forecast is showing winds today and this evening from the northwest 5-7 mph (this will push water on to the course area).
Starting friday the winds are to go calm than shift to the south east at 5-6 in the afternoon and into Saturday that would blow the water away from lands end and the course area with high temps of about 89 on Saturday and Sunday.
If we can get through this evening without much additional rain 40% dropping to 20% in the evening, I think we have a chance the course could dry in time to go racing.
Keeping fingers crossed and waiting for formal word from SCTA.
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From SCTA Facebook page:
"Okay, the pics that were posted a little while ago of the water on the salt is the Pit Area. There is currently 1"-2" of water on some of the courses. They are waiting to see how much of the water recedes by tomorrow before making any official announcements.
We know this sucks not knowing what is going to happen and we do apologize. Mother Nature just had her way with us last night. We will update you as soon as we have any further information."
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I don't know why the SCTA apologizes. It's not their fault. It sucks sitting here in my living room, loaded up and ready to go. But imagine having groomed the salt and set cones and all for days, and then it rains. Thanks guys and no apology needed.
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wow that's a lot of water on the salt. HotRod what are you smoking??? i want some..... If you think lake Bonneville will dry up in 5 days I really want what your smoking, that must be some good stuff. come on give me some of it. :mrgreen: :cheers:.. I hate to say it but speed week is a wish out for me. I have a Pre-entry for sale now if anyone would like to buy it let me know. I have my jet ski loaded and ready to hit the lake now. i just want to say thank you to everyone and all the volunteers that helped get speedweek going Thanks for you time and effort too.
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Thanks for the images, Mike.
Looks serious to me.
FREUD
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Agreed no apology needed SCTA is doing a great job with FB keeping folks updated. We all know this activity is at the whim of the weather, and this stuff happens.
I am also loaded and ready to leave, I was planning on leaving from work last night but saw the news and decided to head home and get a good nights sleep and will spend today doing a few odds and ends I did not have time to do while prepping for the trip. I am just going to flip the attitude switch to the full mellow setting and take it one day at a time.
Now off to Home Depot to pickup a few bits for those projects.
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I feel bad for all you guys and pray you get a break.
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I wish we could insert pics in to this thread but we can't and I'm on an airplane to SLC...please check the SCTA FB page for current info. Someone please copy/paste it here. Thanks.
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Thanks Bubruins.
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Sandee, if nothing else you're welcome to send photos to me and I will post them. I'm not here 24 hours/day, but pretty close to that, it seems.
There are a couple of ways to put photos on this Forum, obviously, but if you don't have the time or enough computer power in your handheld or something - again, let me know.
It's still less than hot and dry here.
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I've been there when there was a lot of water, but pictures of trailers at the inspection/sales area with that much concerns me. Those generators need to run all week and salt is not their friend.
My rental car starts Saturday and I'm still planning to pick it up. My Sunday promised room at the Nugget has already been moved to Monday.... I don't know what will happen to my 2Club dinner ticket but we will see....I'll wait as long as I can.....JD
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Jon, I am only on a cell phone. All of the pics I would send will be posted on the SCTA FB site as well. I'm sitting at the airport with Russ Eyres waiting for Eric to get in before heading to Wendover. Hopefully I will see you!
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in the 6 yrs i have been coming over for 2 or 3 of the later events there has been a few delays due to rain events , amazing how quickly the water disappears,
2 days makes a huge difference , i hope you get no further rain and speedweek is a huge success
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Posted within the last ten minutes on SCTA's Facebook page
"The SCTA planned an inspection of the Bonneville Salt Flats for 6pm. Following, there will be a Board meeting at 8pm to discuss options based upon observations and historical understanding of past weather related race conditions. This decision will be made with the greatest consideration of our racers and fans. Thank you."
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Some pictures from today (Thur.) around 4 pm. I told Ruth I'm glad I'm not the one trying to decide what to do. I thought it looked better in person vs. the pictures posted this morning but I have no idea what it is like further down.
I was there in 92 or93 I believe when there seemed to of been this much water or more on a Sunday night when it rained at the end of the second day. They did have a short course up and running on Wed. but the pits were in water so it was still not a good deal and the people running already had their pits setup. I wouldn't want to go out and setup in the water and I doubt that would be an option but sounds like we should know something tonight or tomorrow morning,
Sum
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47508;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47510;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47512;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47514;image)
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It is wet, wet, wet. And here we sit :?
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4 more pictures,
Sum
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47516;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47518;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47520;image)
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=14205.0;attach=47522;image)
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Nice 'boat-landing' at the End of the Road :-)
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A nice long rope and a slalom ski wouldn't look out of place there.
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Hopefully someone reminds an SCTA official or two that there are a LOT of willing volunteers standing around that could be utilized to help setup equipment, moving the pit area (if needed), fencing details, drag the course and make numerous other things happen if needed (with supervision). I'm sure the SCTA has a lot of work still to do to setup everything if and once conditions might allow in the upcoming days ahead. I do not envy them given the wet weather monkeywrench thrown at them this year.
Even if SpeedWeek 2014 is at worse a 3.5 or 4.5 day event this year (and the first day or two is three short courses to start) -- the last few days might be potentially great if the weather cooperates and the rest of the courses dry out further or for the full lengths. Remember something is better than nothing and most of the folks won't be back until August 2015 given schedules, work, vacations, money and more.
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I am hoping this is not like 1982 when i drove out with new, just done 'liner and meet cancelled. You guys sitting at home wondering what to do... Geeeeeezzzzz, I've been on road 3 days :cry:
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Here's the latest -- from the meeting that started at 8.
First of all, tomorrow - Friday - is another day off. Nobody on the salt. Saturday willbe WORKERS ONLY on the salt to put things back together. Sunday will be set up and probably inspection. There won't be any inspection at the airport.
Runs will probably start on Monday. Further later.
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SCTA face book post
SCTA Southern California Timing Association at Bonneville Salt Flats
1 min ·
Bonneville Salt Report, August 7, 8:30pm: after a complete review of the Bonneville Salt Flats, it appears that the courses are drying and we expect continued improvement. The Board has decided to start site cleanup on Saturday, August 9th, allowing all participants onto the salt for pit selection and inspection. We hope to start racing on Monday, August 11th based upon course conditions. The SCTA merchandize trailer will be open on the entry road for all SCTA products. The Board thanks all racers and fans for their continued support and patience during this delay. We will have another update tomorrow morning to provide current conditions but for now, Speed Week and the Century of Speed celebration is still on!
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SCTA face book post
SCTA Southern California Timing Association at Bonneville Salt Flats
1 min ·
Bonneville Salt Report, August 7, 8:30pm: after a complete review of the Bonneville Salt Flats, it appears that the courses are drying and we expect continued improvement. The Board has decided to start site cleanup on Saturday, August 9th, allowing all participants onto the salt for pit selection and inspection. We hope to start racing on Monday, August 11th based upon course conditions. The SCTA merchandize trailer will be open on the entry road for all SCTA products. The Board thanks all racers and fans for their continued support and patience during this delay. We will have another update tomorrow morning to provide current conditions but for now, Speed Week and the Century of Speed celebration is still on!
Great news! Happy for everyone who's making the trip...
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BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY---LETS GO RACIN' BOYS
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Now that I've got that bit covered as far as I can -- tomorrow we'll be making a rescue trip to get some stuff out of the SSS pit trailer - and that'll include some Salt Talks '14 shirts to sell. I don't know if we'll have room (not our truck - have to be driven by an SCTA official so we don't damage the wet and soft salt) to bring back the pre-sold shirts, though, so I can't promise that you can come fetch yours from us 'til Saturday.
We don't know if and when we'll have Salt Talks this year, dang it. We have every hope and intention - and have lots of shirts to sell so we can get some of our investment back - of having the event as usual. But let's give it a few more hours to get settled and running again. :cheers:
Hey - hay - HEY! At least it looks like we'll have an event this week. And again I tell you that Fred D. said yesterday that the salt was in primo condition except for the water on the course. Hard and smooth. Wet, but hard and smooth.
I don't have any more for now, but go ahead -- discuss and ask questions. Maybe one of us will have good answers. :-D
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Will the event be for the same duration or will it be shortened? Will the event be extended to accommodate all racers that wish to participate for the "weeks" worth of Land Speed Racing?
John
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packing up the new racer and on the way... :-D
http://www.youtube.com/embed/2150iFXF5Vc?rel=0
Or we will be leaving with the Bockscar Saturday Morning :cheers:
John, you know better than that! :roll:
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Jon and Nancy: one of the race teams let me ride their big fat tire beach cruiser around last night and I saw your truck in the back of our hotel! Since you're staying here and we spend a lot of time by the pool in the day come out and visit!
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Nice concept, Stainless. Roll cage needs a bit of work but since it appears to be a nice "upholstery magnet", maybe tech won't notice.
Knapp
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Sparky: Mute
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Been following all this from Virginia,,When I had my one try at the salt in 1965, I know, ancient history. Bonneville Speed "Week" was three days long with the water. :-(
Hope you guys have better shot at it than that.
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Sumner wrote "I was there in 92 or93 I believe when there seemed to of been this much water or more on a Sunday night when it rained at the end of the second day. They did have a short course up and running on Wed."
That was 92. Everyone got caught in a big storm and evacuated the salt on Sunday. On Wednesday when we got back out the dumpsters were being filled with aluminum chairs and tents, that had been eaten by the salt water brine. Pits were a disaster. I ran on the short course on the Wednesday and it had a 1 inch layer of slush on the salt. Not fun! Most of the bikes packed it in and went home.
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From the SCTA Facebook page 5min ago:
Salt Report, Friday August 8 2014, 12:00 Noon: Your SCTA volunteer crew has a few people out on the salt today picking up signage and erecting course markers. The Bonneville Salt Flats are still wet, but are showing signs of drying and white salt crystals are starting to reappear. There is a light breeze from the east and bright hot sunshine to assist with drying. The SCTA is still upbeat and we are seeing water levels reduce quite quickly. While the pits are still covered in a couple inches of water, the race courses are showing the greatest amount of improvement, with most spots being in less than an inch of water. The pic attached is a wheel on the Flatfire trailer which shows about 3" of recession since 7pm last night. Looking good! The plan is still to proceed as we stated in last nights Salt Report.
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It's about half past noon as I sit here at the Bend in the Road. Nancy and I just made a trip to the pits and have this information/report for you.
First of all, the water is warm enough to stand in without shivering. Second, it's muddier than I expected - lotsa silt on top of the salt. Third, there's lots of scum floating around -- mostly wetted dust, I suppose.
Oh, wait a minute -- you don't care about that stuff, do you? You want to know how deep it is. Why didn't you say so sooner?
At our pit it's 5 or 6 inches deep. Well up above my ankles, that is. Deep enough that the wheel rims on the trailer are just touching the water. But I heard the folks out working on the courses report that the water on the #3 course at about the 2 was maybe 3/4" deep. And the word is that the courses are drying well and it's not so deep on any of them as it was.
At Land's End it's busy with people standing there and begging each and every vehicle that comes back off the salt for information. Here at the Bend -- it's very busy with people milling around at the SCTA sales trailer, the Save the Salt trailer, and as soon as I post this - I hope they'll all come visit the SSS truck where I'll be selling Salt Talks t-shirts. If you're in town and wondering whether to come out here to see what's going on -- well, hey, why not? It's quite nice - mid 70s and a gentle breeze. See you soon, right?
But first -- speaking of Salt Talks shirts -- we rescued some of the shirts that had been ordered by the sponsors. If you're out here and want yours - come find me and the truck.
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SSS,
See if you can find Ron Main and George Callaway. Stand 'em ankle deep at the starting line, both of 'em facing up the course and have 'em start walkin' and talkin' (neither one has to listen... just talk). Should have it dried out by noon tomorrow.
Of course then have 'em come back, walkin' through the pits.
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What is the status of the long course? Is it above water yet?
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Nevermind, there is an update on SCTA Facebook page
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I don't get facebook on my dial phone, whats the answer?
Sid.
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Sid, At noon The water in the pits are up to the lower rim of the wheels on the flatfire trailer.
The volunteer I spoke with said the water was over the #1 coarse but #2 was looking better. and If I under stood correctly They think #3 and #4 will be good to go Monday. As of now we are not allowed on the salt until Sunday.
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Pictures of the end of road Noon Friday. One pic of the Water and One of the new salt lay down, Witch seems to be very hard.
(I hope this works , not acting correct)
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Salt Report Thurs Aug 7th
After reviewing the conditions, it appears that the courses are drying and we expect continued improvement. The board has decided to start site cleanup on Saturday Aug 9.
Participants will be allowed onto the salt Sunday for pit selection and inspection. We hope to begin racing on Monday Aug 11, based on course conditions.
The SCTA Merchandise Trailer will be open for business on the entry roadfor all SCTA products.
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With a bit of experiance with delayed meetings i can say there are a lot of interesting things in the Wendover area for those that are bored
Tourist information has been a big help
but some of the things we have checked out in the last few yrs are
Raptor centre where they catch and tag various hawks and eagles , 2.4 mile walk up a steep slope to over 9000 ft very fit only need try (i nearly gave up ) but the views are great and the guys/gals tell a great story , about 24 miles up the Ely road then in some
Blue lake , again up the Ely road , but down on salt lake level
Caves in the cliff faces , realy good ones that were used by the airforce guys are closed but there are others freely accessable if you dont mind a bit of a walk
Silver mountains have some great views across the racetrack , if the road is not too wet you can do a half loop crossing the saddle near the pits or a full loop right out toward floating mountain , do check road conditions , the fine dust washes easy and becomes very soft if wet
Also in the silver mountains there is the remains of a 1940's aircraft, yet to get to this one
There is also some historical information on a pioneer trail that first settlers took
And all the history down at or near the airport
in no particular order
Car park from the raptor centre
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/salt005_zps2cffa234.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/salt005_zps2cffa234.jpg.html)
Car park from the raptor centre without zoom
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/salt006_zps6f7d326d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/salt006_zps6f7d326d.jpg.html)
some of the guys counting and catching the birds
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/salt008_zps5b1904bd.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/salt008_zps5b1904bd.jpg.html)
another of the reashearchers with a bird ready for release
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/salt016_zpscf330a44.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/salt016_zpscf330a44.jpg.html)
View of the racetrack from the silvermountains at about the longtrack 1-2 mile
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/2013-09-14131550_zps8afabb81.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/2013-09-14131550_zps8afabb81.jpg.html)
view from the Needle at the back of Wendover towards the end of the road
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/maj750/2013-09-10135344_zps9fd65c85.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/maj750/media/2013-09-10135344_zps9fd65c85.jpg.html)
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A couple of pictures:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Speedweek001_zpsd9e5b61c.jpg)
Some of the characters at the bend in the road, Thursday (road to Land's End was closed at that time)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Speedweek002_zps848ad584.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Speedweek003_zpsfc05d755.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Speedweek004_zps2789f7cf.jpg)
Ron Jollief(?sp?) (w/assistants) officially inspecting the Milwaukie Midget in the Rainbow parking lot, Friday, noonish
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Speedweek005_zps32018b2e.jpg)
"Stan Back" discussing roadsters with Marty Strode, builder of the newly-built 351, parked next to the MM
More to come
Mike
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Experienced fotog failed image download.
I had m Panasonic Spy Camera laying on the bed at Motel 6.
Opened the door after a short snooze and it's dumpin' rain.
Clicked a few images and headed for the computer. Can't
download the drenching. Believe me...it poured about 6PM.
If you want a room at Motel 6 just drive up and register.
The east side of the motel has 5 cars in the parking lot.
Every parking lot, except the 6, looks like the pits. Cars
and trailers everywhere except at Lands End. The turn around
is at the Bend in the Road and they mean business.
Monday. What's Monday? My prediction is nothing of any
value will happen at this meet.
I'll break out a real camera and try to set the scene.
FREU
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Freud,
I ain't there. Was there Tuesday and it was beautiful, except for a brief rain squall that blasted Wendover. How many times have you been up there and been blown off the salt by screaming, freezing wind whilst the folks are lazin' in the heat around the pools in Wendover... and/or Vice Versa.
While I appreciate your dedication, what we all need to know is what it's like at the 6 (that's mile - not Motel). We really don't care if it's snowing in Wendover as long as we can get a little traction at The Great White.
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I have the feeling that this will be a disaster week, even if there are runs at the end of the week.
With no cars in the pits on the salt every hotel parking lot has competition trailers everywhere.
We will just have to roll with the squeegee.
FREUD
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We are here in Wendover. We came through some rain, but it's dry here.
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Thanks for the pics Mike.
I like the one where the guy in the "rocket science" T shirt is talking to Chris.
It says a lot, I just find it very funny for some reason. :cheers: :cheers:
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From the SCTA Facebook page at 10:02am CST 8/9/14:
The SCTA Board is currently on the salt flats and the BSF is under water and will not dry in time for Speed Week to be held. Therefore, the event is canceled. The Board is discussing the possibility of extending World Finals and making it a delayed Speed Week. The entire SCTA thanks you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
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Well, ain't that a heck of a note? There's nothing more that I can say for right now. We're about to mosey out to Land's End and then set sail for the pits to see if we can hook the barge to the tugboat and head on back to land.
I'll let you know as we find out if there's anything else to know. :-( :-( :-(
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Maybe change the countdown banner on the homepage to "we are bumming" ? This really stinks...
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Jon, let us know if you'll be selling shirts.
Mike
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Hey -- thanks for asking about the shirts. Nancy's working in the SCTA sales trailer here at the Bend, so I parked the truck and hung a couple of shirts off the tailgate -- and sold one. ONE - before Officer DooRight I mean the BLM gestapo guy told me (not asked - TOLD) that if I don't have a permit from the BLM to sell things, since I'm on BLM land - that I can't sell things. If I had an SCTA vendor permit I could blah, blah, blah. So yes, I'm selling shirts -- have only about 139 of 'em remaining. I might move down to Land's End where the BLM isn't quite so aggressive about the permit.
Other than that -- how do you mean, Mike? If you're out here I'll sell you one out of the back of the truck. Or do you want to make sure you can get one at a later date? Any way you word it -- we want to sell these shirts.
Honey Buckets will be here in another hour or so and then we'll head offshore to find some toilets, but for now -- "Here I sit, broken hearted. Paid a nickle, only farted."
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SSS,
See if you can find Ron Main and George Callaway. Stand 'em ankle deep at the starting line, both of 'em facing up the course and have 'em start walkin' and talkin' (neither one has to listen... just talk). Should have it dried out by noon tomorrow.
Of course then have 'em come back, walkin' through the pits.
This sounded like a good idea Jim. Guess there just wasn't enough hot air.
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Morning Slim, Desperate and Mex John are camped up in my room, since we are a bit board do you need a hand selling t shirts, we can be very persuasive,
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Wow, I am truly bummed out about you all not being able to race. :cry: Those of us that couldn't make it this year were looking forward to living vicariously thru all of you. Hopefully you'll be able to make it back for World Finals.
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Flew into Salt Lake City, saw lots of water in the lowlands, drove to Wally World for supplies, got the Subaru news, drove back to the airport and fly home tonight! :cry: :-( :cry: I feel your pain! :-( :cry: :-(
Next stop: Top Speed Meet!
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Not good. All the work that went into all the cars and bikes along with setting up the tracks.
Sorry to hear the meet was cancelled. Heartbroken for all of you. Bummer. :x
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We just got back from being out there. Nancy spent the entire day in the sales trailer peddling shirts, posters, pins, rulebooks, etc, and I tried selling some of the Salt Talks shirts there - at the Bend in the Road. Officer BLM took exception to me doing that because I didn't have a BLM vendor's permit - hunh? And since I wasn't set up to be an SCTA vendor I couldn't use that affinity as a reason to stay there. So I meandered down to Land's End where I picked up Pork Pie and we set sail for the pit. The trailer was moored about 4 miles off shore. He took photos - and will share them with all of us sooner or later. Anyway, we got to the trailer and discovered it had moved a few inches in the windstorm. That's pretty difficult to do since Nancy had put the wheel chocks in place fore and aft the tires. The trailer hooked up okay and as we moved we found cones underneath - but no chocks. PP and I shuffled around, back and forth, side to side -- no chocks. I wonder where the heck they are. Well, anyway, trailer behind us - like a tug towing a barge - we headed for dry land. And once there I spent about three hours shooting the breeze with the tourists and the racers. The good news is that I sold about a dozen shirts -- better than none like BLM would have allowed. But still, we've got scads of them left.
Nancy won't be here again this year, so if we do try to have a Salt Talks event at WoS or WF we'd do it without food. Just too much hassle trying to run the show by myself and cook, too. But lots of folks want a Salt Talks, and it'll be a way to get rid of the extra shirts/make a buck for the website. If you want shirts -- please, feel free to get in touch.
For now that's it. Later on I'll tell you about the mud/silt that's on the top of the salt underwater. Lots of it - fine, sloppy, gonna be a mess type silt. Tune in again for more stories. And if you stopped by for a howdy -- thank you very much.
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Thanks for all you do to support racing on the salt Slim
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I tried to grab you as you went by the SCTA trailer on the way in Slim but you were concentrating on not hitting wayward pedestrians. :-D
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Dang, Rob -- sorry I didn't see you. And it wasn't wayward walkers I was avoiding -- you saw me maneuvering to try to hit the BLM soldiers. :evil:
Next time for sure, hey? Thanks for coming for the visit -- even if you didn't get to race.
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Oh I raced, California to Wendover mate :-D
There'll be a next time for sure.
Cheers,
Rob
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I am a candidate for several 2XLs if you have them--
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We've got 'em -- and will hold them out so we've got 2 of them for you. Ship them -- or hold on 'til WoS or the Shootout or WF? Let me know. Thanks very much.
For that matter, maybe you mean that "several" means more than 2. Whatever you want -- we've got them. :-D
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It was good to see you at Lands end today Slim :cheers:
I will wear my Salt talks Tee with pride when I get back to the uk.
And we will return in 2015 8-)
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How is the salt drying ?
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How is the salt drying ?
I guess we will find out in 12 days
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It was good to see you at Lands end today Slim :cheers:
I will wear my Salt talks Tee with pride when I get back to the uk.
And we will return in 2015 8-)
Hi Paso nice talking with you at Montego Bay parking lot,hope to see you next year.have fun at Irwindale.
:cheers: :cheers:
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Knowing I will most likely take some heat over what I am about to say, here is my opinion after yesterdays cancellation.
Someone near or at the top of the SCTA hierarchy (spl. ?) should be removed from the position or stripped of decision making for not using the SCTA website or making all entrants aware of a phone number used to keep racers and fans updated on the the current situations leading up to the Cancellation.
I and many other racers I spoke with in Wendover have never posted or even (as several told me) used or know how to access Facebook and in my case only signed up to view and purchase some photos from Pork Pie a few years back.
Many racers could not access Facebook or don't even know about it being the "official" update site for the SCTA, including the Streamliner we passed near Twin Falls, Idaho still headed for Wendover yesterday afternoon.
Unfortunatly this is a congested two lane Highway with few turnouts and we had to keep going towards home.
What the hell is or are these decision makers thinking? If it was't for Slim using this site to try and keep us all up to date on the situation (and who could sure use some financial support) many racers may have towed for hours and at great expense for no reason.
I have been punished before (and yes I have proof) by at least one member of the SCTA leadership and may suffer again for this post, but someone needs to get their head out of their a*s and make this information available on a listed phone recording ASAP and their own Website and known phone number.
I wonder if those involve have ever owned, driven, or paid the expenses out of ther own pocket to tow a vehicle like the folks from the East Coast or Austrailia who maybe
for whatever reason may still be in transit when a delay or as in this case Event Cancelation have already occurred.
I hope they feel satisfied (and are most likely smug) while enjoying Facebook. I hope they also have as many "facebook friends" (and who like me have never heard of) share their daily drivel with all.
I like being informed, but about LSR racing, and I don't want to get it from f*ucking Facebook.
"One Run" Bob Drury
OLD STUD RACING
A/CFALT #394
c
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I don't have anything at stake with the SCTA...........I ride motorcycles...........BUT I AGREE WITH YOU :wink:
We are both very close in age to a great number of competitors on the salt. When I am on the road with my trailer in-tow........the LAST place on earth is facebook or any other NON-OFFICIAL contact point :-o.
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Knowing I will most likely take some heat over what I am about to say, here is my opinion after yesterdays cancellation.
Someone near or at the top of the SCTA hierarchy (spl. ?) should be removed from the position or stripped of decision making for not using the SCTA website or making all entrants aware of a phone number used to keep racers and fans updated on the the current situations leading up to the Cancellation.
I and many other racers I spoke with in Wendover have never posted or even (as several told me) used or know how to access Facebook and in my case only signed up to view and purchase some photos from Pork Pie a few years back.
Many racers could not access Facebook or don't even know about it being the "official" update site for the SCTA, including the Streamliner we passed near Twin Falls, Idaho still headed for Wendover yesterday afternoon.
Unfortunatly this is a congested two lane Highway with few turnouts and we had to keep going towards home.
What the hell is or are these decision makers thinking? If it was't for Slim using this site to try and keep us all up to date on the situation (and who could sure use some financial support) many racers may have towed for hours and at great expense for no reason.
I have been punished before (and yes I have proof) by at least one member of the SCTA leadership and may suffer again for this post, but someone needs to get their head out of their a*s and make this information available on a listed phone recording ASAP and their own Website and known phone number.
I wonder if those involve have ever owned, driven, or paid the expenses out of ther own pocket to tow a vehicle like the folks from the East Coast or Austrailia who maybe
for whatever reason may still be in transit when a delay or as in this case Event Cancelation have already occurred.
I hope they feel satisfied (and are most likely smug) while enjoying Facebook. I hope they also have as many "facebook friends" (and who like me have never heard of) share their daily drivel with all.
I like being informed, but about LSR racing, and I don't want to get it from f*ucking Facebook.
"One Run" Bob Drury
OLD STUD RACING
A/CFALT #394
c
I think you are in a minority. Every person I spoke to who was there was getting immediate updates from Facebook. Perhaps we should go back to string and tuna cans.
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Well -- I won't throw stones - because I was watching the FB pages to get information that I in turn relayed. I do agree, Bob, that like many L S R folks -- we're older and than the median Facebooker and probably more of a gearhead than a FB fan. No offense to FB, no offense to SCTA - and Nancy does enjoy Facebook and that's how I knew how to get into that site to get the scoop I'd then pass on. I spoke to or email/posted to a bunch of folks this past weekend -- that didn't use Facebook so I know there's a disconnect.
I'll agree that putting the information out for as many as possible as fast as possible is important, so would vote for putting it on the SCTA site. I'm not sure - didn't have much chance to check this out - but I don't think the SCTA Facebook page is set up to automatically relay stuff to their website. Our business site is -- a call to the web guy we use got him to type in this or that command, and now whenever we put something on the Kudos Laser Facebook page it also shows up on the Kudos Laser website. It's shown in a window that's labeled as being Facebook - but no login or anything is required and it is automatic and fast. If you'd like to see it go to www.kudoslaser.com and you'll see how it's working. That feature might well serve one and all pretty well, and since the SCTA FB page is new -- they might not have known about it or might not have had time to set it up. I'm not throwing stones here -- I want to try to get along with their site so we can both best serve the LSR community - world wide. What I'm saying is to give SCTA a chance. I know that they're still smarting from the immense struggles the past few days - and the next few weeks - and won't have time to do something about this minor situation for a little while.
Deep enough for now. I'll log off and keep trying to find a cheap (read: crack whore) motel for tonight in or around Bozeman, Montana. Most of them are full. WTF - is it vacation time in central Montana? :?
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Salt, I respect your opinion but question your assumption that every racer entered at Speedweek carried a laptop with him (and at all times).
I was in Wendover arriving Thursday and by Saturday morning the number of false rumors I heard while speaking with fellow racers was astounding.
I use Facebook myself because every day I receive multiple "notifications" that I have to access before knowing who sent it or if it might be a life or death notification.
The SCTA posting on Facebook is fine with me, but first put it on the site that all members help pay for, and a easily accessed phone number FIRST.
Respectfully, Bob
p.s. Access Landracing.com homepage, go to the SCTA site, check out the current Bonneville info, and see how much info was given out about Speedweek in the last two weeks.
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I agree, Bob. What is the use of having an official SCTA webpage if the information we need is posted on Facebook? Dump Facebook and post on the official site. It is good of SSS to relay their info but that is not a substitute for an official site.
BTW, during my drive home, I also saw a few latecomers headed for Wendover...none the wiser and no way to communicate with them to let them know.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Salt, I respect your opinion but question your assumption that every racer entered at Speedweek carried a laptop with him (and at all times).
I was in Wendover arriving Thursday and by Saturday morning the number of false rumors I heard while speaking with fellow racers was astounding.
I use Facebook myself because every day I receive multiple "notifications" that I have to access before knowing who sent it or if it might be a life or death notification.
The SCTA posting on Facebook is fine with me, but first put it on the site that all members help pay for, and a easily accessed phone number FIRST.
Respectfully, Bob
p.s. Access Landracing.com homepage, go to the SCTA site, check out the current Bonneville info, and see how much info was given out about Speedweek in the last two weeks.
First: I said people I spoke to. Not an assumption.
Second: smart phones ( using one right now)
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Please understand that SCTA did the best they could with notifying everyone of all of the decisions made twice daily during the last part of the week. They did run into some challenges, as you have pointed out, and when they realized that maybe not everyone was getting updates on the web, team members were sent to every hotel parking lot to spread words. All decisions were copied immediately to the SCTA webmasters office, JoAnn changed the message on the SCTA office line immediately and daily, landracing.com (Jons cell), poeople at the bend in the road, BLM personnel, fhe Casino marquee and FB. It wasn't until late Friday evening that the radio station was discussed, and it would have been up by 9am had the meet not been canceled at 8. Did they reach everyone? It appears not but it wasn't from a lack of trying or from someone not thinking. SCTA in fact were as up front and transparent with the racers regarding the daily decisions as they possibly could be. Please be easy on them. This was a challenge that was monstrous to manage. Thank you Jon for being such an intricate part of that team.
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Notifications are always problematic. As you mention not all people fit the standing assumptions.
I work in IT and practically live on face book and twitter during normal days, but when I leave for Bonneville I "unplug" and am reachable only by cell phone text message.
Luckily due to my work schedule I caught wind of the bad weather just before I was leaving work on my last day, (I normally leave for Bonneville right from work at end of shift), so I headed home to watch things.
When the first announcements were posted on face book I did see them because I was at home and actively watching radar and face book, and on the spur of the moment I called a racer I knew was in route and my message was the first he had heard of the rain delay from what I gathered.
In recent years when I leave for Bonneville, I ask a couple of friends to keep an eye on developments and to text message me if something important comes up.
Some of that responsibility falls on the racer not the SCTA, if you know you fall outside the general assumptions, you need to work out some solution yourself or be willing to pay the fuel bill for a needless trip.
One option would be for SCTA/USFRA etc. to set up a subscription for text messages/email where racers could opt in for status update text and email messages.
Then when updates got posted they would automatically get the up date by either text or email. One subscription setup could be used by all the sponsors, (SCTA, USFRA, BUB, Cook shootout etc.) Just have each sponsor have someone who knows how to post updates to their racer group.
We are in the middle of a major technology shift, some of us are familiar with the new social media some are not. Some live in areas where they have no connections (wifi) service, some have no cell phone, not all of us live in large cities where there is a wifi on every corner or have no day to day need for laptops or smart phones. Some of us live in cell phone dead zones or drive through areas that are cell phone dead zones on the way out to Bonneville.
As a result of this rain out, I bit the bullet and bought a small android tablet the other day, which will have digital connection ability plus normal wifi connectivity. I am still figuring out how to set things like email up and all those little details but will have it in the future.
I will be wired when I go out to Bonneville now, but in the past when I took a laptop out there, and tried to connect out on the salt flats and in town and the coverage sucked so bad I quit even trying. It was completely useless for web access. I never could get a good enough connection to do anything useful.
I also consider Wendover to be a high risk location for wifi connections so in recent years although I had a lap top with me, I had wifi disabled so it would not even try to connect to any available wifi systems.
I was also not willing to buy a new lap top just for that single purpose until the technology matured a bit more. All I needed from a lap top was the ability to look at my photographs.
I have 3 desk top computers at home and at work I sit in front of a desk top computer all day, I had no other use for a new lap top since I am surrounded by computers all day.
It has improved a lot in the 8 years I have been regularly going out to Bonneville, but the technology still has holes and different groups are at different points in the learning curve to get full connectivity 24/7.
A phone number with a recorded status message would certainly be useful for those who do not have computer/tablet/or smart phone connectivity to FB and twitter or landracing.com. That could be used even from a pay phone from some location that has no cell service.
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Virtually everyone has a cell phone now that can receive text messages or phone calls anywhere that person is. So why wouldn't SCTA, and all the racing organizations adopt the same notification methods that airlines use?
When I sign up for my airline ticket, I always give them my cell phone number for automatic notifications. If the plane is late or cancelled, I get notified right away by a text or a robot call or both.
The racing organizations do not even have to invest in any equipment to do this. There are services that will do this for next to nothing. Since everyone has to give a phone number to sign up for the event, everyone can get notified right away. No Facebook needed. No website needed (except this one).
Don
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Logical............ :-) :-) :-)
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Larry, I really appreciated your updates!
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Glad I could help!
Just out or curiosity, where were you when I first notified you of the rain delay?
Is that why you ended up working on the trailer in SLC?
Too bad I was looking forward to shooting your car in impound again.
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When I was in the Army (Yes I know that was better than 50 years ago and things have changed) they would talk about the 10% who never got the word. In an evolving, fluid situation it was assumed that 10% would be left behind because they never got the word. Some of this is applicable to SpeedWeek and weather up dates. Now, I don't have a cell phone and I really don't know much about Face Book. But I got the word about the postponement and the cancellation the same way as I did i '82. My good old fashioned land line phone. i didn't want to be in the 10% so I took it upon myself to keep up with what was going on by what is now called networking. Same as always. I thought the SCTA did an outstanding job of getting the word out. Better than i can ever remember. But it still behooves the individual racer to put some effort into finding out what's happening when you know there is weather in the area.
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Salt, then I assume you verified with each of them that they PERSONALY RECIEVED THE MESSAGES and/or were able to receive this info ASAP?
Sandee, let me ask you this. Were all pre-entrants notified before Speedweek by mail or phone that Facebook had become the SCTA "OFFICIAL MESSAGE SITE" for current updates? Was this printed on pre-entry forms, SCTA or BNI newsletters? I visited friends in most parking lots, and took lots of pictures but never saw a poster or SCTA shirt amongst the racers and race vehicles and NOT ONE OF the fifty or more I spoke too had any current info (meaning laptops with mobile wifi in the parking lots.
Most had to rely on hand me down info (which can be less than accurate) for any current info from the SCTA during the day.
Slim is a good friend, but using him as a "official" relayer of SCTA statements is not a valid channel. If the SCTA wishes to post on this site (and I hope they do) they should officialy do it immediately after it is released, and all members of the SCTA should be aware that it is amongst the venues that will be used EACH AND EVERY TIME from this time on.
I did see and would like to commend Ron Jolliff and at least one other Inspectors in civies volunteering their time inspecting as many entrants as they could.
I don't mean to be intrusive and don't have a current listing of all officials so forgive me if I "assume" that you are the SCTA media information official or at least a owner/driver who has as I stated in my first post, paid all or most of the expenses of traveling to and from Bonneville for those entrants from... well any and everywear.
I don't want to drag this topic into the "beating a dead Horse" column further and as I opened my first post with, I expected heat for it and don't have a problem with that.
I would however use this as a reminder to all: discourse and disagreements are what this site is all about, but lets all be civil and remember that This site was shut down and almost lost forever (thanks Jon A. and Jon W. for starting and saving this site) due to name calling and it was ugly. I know. I was one of the miscreants who almost sunk the ship and am none too proud of that fact.
My closing statement is this. The media sources most easily accessable to all racers are U.S. Mail and phone alerts. Lets use them FIRST and FORMOST.
I only look at the neon signs and billboards for Buffet info.
Bob
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FB is just one additional avenue of notification. Its in the tool chest with the other forms that were also implemented.
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Larry, we were broke down in Evanston when you called . The info was so helpful! After you called we decided to limp to SLC for better repairs.
Thanks again!
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Good job SCTA.....WAAAAYYYY better than years ago...way more avenues to get information
the SCTA website had updates, that internet site and others allowed for way more people getting informed
way quicker and easier than ever before..
way quicker and more accessible than US mail or land line.........
so glad I didn't have to pull over periodically and call scta to see what has been left on recorder
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I've been racing with the SCTA since 1979. I remember the 1982 & 83 rain outs, and again in 92. Never have I been better informed than this year. Yes, it can use some improvement but over all great job SCTA! Looking forward to the World Finals, just roll my entry over please.
Now, can we talk about Harold & the radio issue...... :evil:
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I really do think that the racing organizations should consider the "push" notifications that other time critical events (such as airlines) use.
I just checked the rates and it would have cost 2.5 cents per cell phone called to send everyone an automatic notification. That means that 1000 persons could have been called for $25.00.
All it would have taken is someone in authority to sign onto a website, upload the phone list, and authorize the calls. So simple but would have saved so many time and money and frustration.
Don
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The FB notifications worked great for me, and I really appreciated the timely updates! Quick reporting allowed my team to adjust our plans and aim to regroup later in the year.
3 of us just returned from out 1,500 mile commute. For me, the important thing was preserving vacation time away from work, to be used later.
BIG THANKS for all the efforts, SCTA.
Steve.
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No but I once saw a Movie called Harold and Maude and it was Great! Well at least I think it was........... that was back in the seventies and I was pretty stone...
er... ah... eating Oreo,s by the handful at the time.
One Run, Goodnight to all.....................
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It's easy to criticize when it isn't your neck on the chopping block. Come on, guys, we're all disappointed and are stinging from the money spent. My crew was in the same ark as the rest of you, travel planning, vacation time taken, money spent on....everything that might be needed to survive the heat, etc. etc. The officials worked their Azzes off trying to cope with all that was happening. There was miscommunication, wrong information, missing details, and speculations running rampant. Information that was accurate 30 minutes earlier was not only obsolete, but totally wrong!! Remember when you were in school and the teacher would whisper something in one person's ear that the sky was blue and by the time it had passed to the tenth student's ear the message had changed to unicorns fart fireflies? Well, guess what.....seems the message venues have improved, but the message got buggered anyway!! This has been a unique experience for all of us (would have like to have this one pass us by), but we're all going to remember it!! Hmmm, wonder what this elephant is going to be turned into years from now?
Anyway, just wanted to thank all you racers for being to so kind to me and my crew during this crazy "non-Speedweek" adventure!! You were all AWESOME following the disappointing "Sorry, you can't go there, you have to turn around here."
Thank you all!! Hope all of you have a safe journey home and......I'll see you on the salt!!
Stay Safe,
Lynda
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I think Rich touched on the concept, but at the end of the day, it's up to all of us to gather information any way we can,and then seperate the fact from the BS. I personally think Facebook sucks, BUT when I found out SCTA was gonna use it for updates I signed on. In my opinion, the 2 updates a day was fabulous because it got to go into the "fact" column instead of the "BS" column...... Plus it was quicker than the SCTA website. And big thanks to you Slim for immediately passing any info on via Landracing. And if you don't have a cell phone or computer, use the SCTA answering machine. All of those options are often better than calling someone in Wendover and receiving the latest rumors (which go into the BS column) Bottom line, I think SCTA did a great job getting the word out in a timely fashion. Let's move on.......
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I think an equally valid question is: What would it have been like if there was no communication from the SCTA on Facebook? My guess is that there would have been even worse speculation among friends and less official info going out there.
I personally really liked having updates on Facebook. The only downside for me was that I found myself checking it around the clock for 2 days. The automated text message / call idea is great! I guess we live and we learn. Overall - great job of communication from the SCTA!
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I don't use facebook, I can't see providing my personal information to a website so they can sell that info to the applicable target advertisers.... But I mentioned that once already.... But what we did do is have the teammates and friends that participate in that keep an eye on facebook and provide info as soon as they saw it.
We had not traveled very far from Denver when we started getting calls from friends and fellow racers about the cancellation.
I was shown the fb page... and it had lots of stuff on the page from lots of people.... took a minute to figure out how to ID the official SCTA post, so I left that part to the fb-Er's.
Yes the communication was way better than in 82-83... or 93-94 ... but it should be, there are a lot more options made available by technology.
What is the take away here...
They did a pretty good job of spreading the word.... hopefully someone can come up with a FOOL PROOF method.... God knows that is what it will take with those of us in this sport.... :roll:
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Compare the Mafia attitude of the West Wendover hotels
with the hospitality of Motel 6 in Old Wendover.
Check the date on the receipt.
FREUD
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For those who do not mess with this stuff much, you can easily send text messages to almost all cell phones for free using your email system.
The format is usually something like the following:
address <phonenumber 10 digit>@abc.xyz.txt
For example with my cell phone carrier I can send my cell phone a text message by composing an email as follows (with my phone number including area code in place of the 5555555555
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To: 5555555555@txt.att.net
subject: subject line of text msg
body text: stuff I want the user to read
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Common text from email addresses are listed on this web page.
http://www.emailtextmessages.com/ <--- list has not been updated recently so may have some old info, but many of these companies still use these addresses (mine does)
****** Test your particular cell phone so you know the proper paging address to have someone use. *****
It would be best to generate individual emails to each person.
If you put multiple user email addresses in a single email in the To: or the CC: field, the message header will essentially have a phone book of everyone's cell phone numbers.
Not everyone wants to share their cell phone number with the world.
You can accomplish this by putting all the email addresses to be used to send the text messages in the BCC address field (this hides the recipients from each other) the person only sees an email addressed to themselves not everyone else in the list.
Then you put some email address in the To: field for example your own email address or some alternate email address so you have a record of the pages sent.
For small groups like team members who already know each other's cell phone numbers, sending all the messages as CC: messages would not be a problem and one person with computer access could message the entire crew in a couple minutes for free from any computer that can send email.
If you don't know a persons cell phone carrier, most of the time you can look up their cell number on this web site and get the carrier name for free:
https://www.peoplesmart.com/
All the SCTA or landracing.com or any other group would need to do is request paging addresses from folks that want to be paged with hot updates and build a file to be used to construct the mails.
Some email clients might have a limit on how many addresses can be in the BCC: field but that can be tested or verified with a phone call to tech support.
PS this is also a way to help you find your cell phone when you can't remember where you put it.
Send your self a text message that says "I'm over here dummy" and listen for the chime when the text message comes in (assuming the phone is on).
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I'm bummed out but, if my lifestyle doesn't kill me, I'll be back next year.
I feel for the folks from Oz, France, England, etc. This was a one-time shot for most of those guys.
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I am a non facebook, non texting person. I simply had to draw the line and say my time has to be rationed, I am getting slower at my projects and I needed the time for other things. However, I found that I can access facebook without joining. I am able to get the scta news without joining facebook. I just added a link to that page in my favorites along with a whole bunch of other pages I check or keep for reference. It works for me. Maybe I am not understanding this discussion but it seems that some of you may not be aware that you can access the scta facebook page without joining facebook. Of course this means you can read but not post.
John
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Good point, if the permissions on the face book page are set to public anyone can see the contents of the page regardless if they have a face book login.
For folks quick reference some links so you can set up quick book marks:
https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation
http://www.scta-bni.org/
SCTA might also consider setting up a twitter account to go along with their face book account.
A lot of people use twitter as a news feed only but never "tweet" and if they follow a twitter account anything posted to that account gets displayed in their news feed as soon as it shows up. I have recently shifted to watching my twitter feed more than logging into various pages, as all the pages I am interested in get displayed in one list that way.
If they set up a twitter account for racing updates only, folks could follow it during the racing event they are interested in and then unfollow it the rest of the time when salt/elmo conditions and updates are not so time critical.
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Hey, hotrod,
Good usable, tech stuff in your posts, so let me, hopefully, return the favor. I have been doing all sorts of uploads/downloads/e-mails/youtube videos/etc. on the salt for years with no problem. Rather than wifi (a concept, like Facebook, that both concerns me and that I see no need for) I use an "air card" which is basically a cell phone that plugs into a USB port in my computer. Yes it does cost some $$ each month, but I go on line anywhere there is a cell connection.
And hey, what about "tethering" (I think that's the right word) your computer to your cell phone?
Knapp
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I have seen those mentioned multiple times but every time I went into a store to try and buy one and described what I was looking for, the clerk looked at me like I was from Mars.
I also never could find a listing for them on the web. (that old if you don't know the right search key you get nada problem)
Some RV folks talk about "data cards" but if you search for them by that name you won't find anything.
Nice to know what they are really called, now at least I can see what is available.
A search on amazon for air card at least returns some hits (7 are listed).
That is why I bought the small tablet it allows both wifi and cellular data connections (same thing as an air card).
I wonder if they can be configured to use the same phone number and data plan I am already paying for on the tablet so I can use a real computer ?
Thanks!
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"SCTA might consider selling up a Twitter account"
I think I just heard some heads explode :-D
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I have seen those mentioned multiple times but every time I went into a store to try and buy one and described what I was looking for, the clerk looked at me like I was from Mars.
I also never could find a listing for them on the web. (that old if you don't know the right search key you get nada problem)
Some RV folks talk about "data cards" but if you search for them by that name you won't find anything.
Nice to know what they are really called, now at least I can see what is available.
A search on amazon for air card at least returns some hits (7 are listed).
That is why I bought the small tablet it allows both wifi and cellular data connections (same thing as an air card).
I wonder if they can be configured to use the same phone number and data plan I am already paying for on the tablet so I can use a real computer ?
Thanks!
Verizon sells them for 10.00 a month they call theirs a Mi-fi and it can testyer up to 6 different devices ie
Laptops , tablets, any device that can use a wifi signal. They do require their own phone number however to keep the data separate. Along if there is cell survive it can provide a wifi signal.
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"SCTA might consider selling up a Twitter account"
I think I just heard some heads explode grin
:-D
They need to put a 12 year old in charge of digital notifications they would have it setup in about 2 hours.
Thanks Cheeto racer I probably need to drift by the AT&T store and talk to them now that I know what I am looking for since my account on the tablet uses AT&T digital service.
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I was glad to catch the "unofficial" report from Facebook as I was finishing up packing and about to hit the road. I know, from previously owning a business and personally having to update the website, that it is about a hundred times easier and quicker to get the word out on FB than to update the website. I have no complaints about the FB early warning cancellation and have no probs that it took a little while longer for the website to be updated.
For those who use the internet - like the SCTA website - for updates on information, it just makes sense to monitor something like the FB page for quick updates. It is not the job of SCTA to hunt down every entrant personally using all known means (email, texting, phone call, snail mail, driving around to different hotel) to make sure everyone got the message the instant a decision was made. They made a decision and posted the official response as soon as reasonably possible on their website. Those of us who happen to monitor FB got the unofficial word a little quicker. No complaints here.
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hotrod & cheeto,
They are NOT the mi-fi boxes, although those will work. In fact I had a devil of a time NOT buying one of those at the Verizon store. They must get $100 commission for selling mi-fi and $.02 commission for selling an air card. I just prefer something smaller to cart around. This is more what I have in mind:
http://shop.proxicast.com/shopping/verizon-novatel-760-3g-usb-modem-no-contract.html?gclid=CJH2-465i8ACFQOHaQodbkoASQ
Jim (faster than Kent) Knapp
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Note to all: It has been good to get up this morning and read all of the comments and discussion that all have offered. Also no death threats (so far!).
One thing seems apparent, that it is hard to keep up in the ever changing World of communication and networking.
I want to thank everyone who has responded and I am sure that by World of Speed or at least the W.F.'s things will be up to speed.
I also want to urge all of us to donate what we can to our wonderful site. Without it this discourse would not be possible.
Thanx again, One Run........... out....................
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Do you remember when we drove to the 12 mile post,
turned left and crossed the canal on an old wooden bridge?
FREUD
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I do and the big Bonneville sign with Cobb's liner on it. :cheers: That was 1953.
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I don't use facebook, I can't see providing my personal information to a website so they can sell that info to the applicable target advertisers.... But I mentioned that once already.... But what we did do is have the teammates and friends that participate in that keep an eye on facebook and provide info as soon as they saw it.
We had not traveled very far from Denver when we started getting calls from friends and fellow racers about the cancellation.
I was shown the fb page... and it had lots of stuff on the page from lots of people.... took a minute to figure out how to ID the official SCTA post, so I left that part to the fb-Er's.
Yes the communication was way better than in 82-83... or 93-94 ... but it should be, there are a lot more options made available by technology.
What is the take away here...
They did a pretty good job of spreading the word.... hopefully someone can come up with a FOOL PROOF method.... God knows that is what it will take with those of us in this sport.... :roll:
I signed up under a phony name...........
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Jon, I still have the shot glasses in my truck. :cheers:
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I just stopped at the AT&T store, they have the usb style aircards.
They want $169 for the device if you buy it outright and the data plan runs $20 / month.
He said you could not put 2 devices on one phone number.
I will need to do a bit more investigation on this, but it is an option.
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Do you remember when we drove to the 12 mile post,
turned left and crossed the canal on an old wooden bridge?
FREUD
Same way in 62
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I've seen many useful posts how us Luddites can take advantage of the new info age. "Apps, texts, favorites, load, servers, tablets, cell phones, easily accessed . . .".
See -- I'm so dumb I can't even remember what they're saying, let alone do what they suggest.
But I was out there Saturday morning. And the water looked like it was breaking up the prepared courses. There were pot holes forming all over the place. Cook's course looked the best. But getting the water off and the salt drying to a race course condition are two separate issues.
Bill Lattin took a bunch of us "old folks" out there to see what we thought. My thought was, after about ten minutes, why even do this -- it's so apparent what the answer was, especially after Friday night's rain. No one I talked to thought there was a chance of having any course by the end of the week. Some thought by the end of the month. Yes, the conditions are not predictable. But no one that was out there was second-guessing the decision. We all urged him to make it now, not later in the day, so some could start home and save a day's rent -- which is what he did in concert with the board.
Even if the courses dry by Cook's event, the pot holes and such may be a real problem. This hasn't been a good year for the SCTA, but not due to the officials not giving their best.
I'd "Like" them if I had a clue what that meant and how to do it. (Please don't tell me -- It'll fall on deaf (and really dumb) ears.)
Stan
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(Please don't tell me -- It'll fall on deaf (and really dumb) ears.)
Stan
You can always trust Stan Back to tell the truut.
FREUD
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Stan is the man!
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Stan
I agree. A great effort by our friends at SCTA. I imagine it is a big decision to call an event like Speed Week.
As far as FaceBook, I have it but I hate it. However, I did appreciate the updates from SCTA. I can imagine from the Salt FB is a quick and effective tool to communicate. I was never able to get a good enough signal at Montego Bay to upload any big files. I guess there was a day not too many years ago when the dial up telephone was the only communication. I am sure there are people in the '70's that drove all the way to Wendover only to find everyone packing up and leaving. The fact that we can find out through a variety of venues albeit some more instantaneous than others is a fairly new phenom.
Perhaps those of that had to stay at home can help by bringing the information over and posting it on the event thread. After all SLim is busy on the Salt as the Honey Bucket Zar! Next event I will try and update the thread with SCTA posts from facebook and if others follow then the folks that prefer this thread versus signing up for FB can come here for what they need.
My 2 cents
BR
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We tried to make the best of it and spent a couple of enjoyable days hanging out in the Nugget parking lot. We unloaded the bike and talked to countless other racers and spectators. The highlight was when a Japanese team stopped by to check out the Double...not much English, but huge smiles and lots of laughter when I invited them to stretch out across the bike and much applause when I fired up both engines...priceless.
We have been coming to Bonneville since 2000 and have never had the chance to check out the old bomber base, this year we did and certainly encourage others to check out the museum and history there...humbling.
The weather and salt conditions are always a crap shoot at best. We choose to compete at Bonneville because of the challenges from all directions but also because of the people who share the same passion...if it was easy, everyone would do it.
I'm grateful for the efforts of the SCTA and many volunteers. I look forward to returning for the World Finals if conditions allow it, if not the trailer is already packed for 2015.
Cheers,
Scott
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Interesting thread! But I was IN the plane with the cell phone off when the post was made to FB which I view but will not join and did not know that was the OFFICIAL SCTA info site until now! :-(
But the trip was not a total loss - I spied a Walmartian in SLC! :-o :-o :-o
Subaru happens - next stop Top Speed Meet!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Best of luck to all your alternate plans!! :cheers:
Don't forget you can thrash at ECTA in September! :-D
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Stan:
Perhaps those of that had to stay at home can help by bringing the information over and posting it on the event thread. After all SLim is busy on the Salt as the Honey Bucket Zar! Next event I will try and update the thread with SCTA posts from facebook and if others follow then the folks that prefer this thread versus signing up for FB can come here for what they need.
That is exactly what happened this time.
I posted the following in post #83 in this thread 1 minute after it hit the SCTA face book page, (when it was 1 minute old) then I went over to the landspeedracing facebook page to do the same.
Folks stuck at home basically forwarded the info in real time to other forums/pages once it hit the SCTA facebook page which was sooner than it hit the SCTA official web page. This is perfectly understandable because it is a lot more hassle to update a web site home page, than to post a simple cut and paste to an application designed for exactly that sort of quick transmission of information.
Crowd sourcing that sort of notification tree is by far and away faster than any other means for an organization to get the word out.
The only thing needed is for interested people to know where to look for the first release of info and it will quickly spread across all commonly used forums, literally in a matter of 2-3 minutes for something like this where people are actively monitoring for information.
Re: SpeedWeek 2014 - the event per se
« Reply #83 on: August 07, 2014, 07:43:19 PM »
Reply with quoteQuote
SCTA face book post
SCTA Southern California Timing Association at Bonneville Salt Flats
1 min ·
Bonneville Salt Report, August 7, 8:30pm: after a complete review of the Bonneville Salt Flats, it appears that the courses are drying and we expect continued improvement. The Board has decided to start site cleanup on Saturday, August 9th, allowing all participants onto the salt for pit selection and inspection. We hope to start racing on Monday, August 11th based upon course conditions. The SCTA merchandize trailer will be open on the entry road for all SCTA products. The Board thanks all racers and fans for their continued support and patience during this delay. We will have another update tomorrow morning to provide current conditions but for now, Speed Week and the Century of Speed celebration is still on!
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Also no death threats (so far!).
I had an inquiry about your home address, but I refused to tell them.
Their offer was too small. :lol:
Mike
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I'll comment on the Verizon (or anyone) "air card" device. We have Verizon phones and their card (which looks like a big thumb drive. We've used it for about 8 years as our only connection to the internet. We don't have wire or cable or anything else to get internet at the house, and even the ATT phone signal isn't good -- ergo Verizon. Since we've had the device and our entire phone contract for years -- we've got an unlimited data ration for our $60/month, and as long as we renew the contract - rather than getting a new one for any reason - we keep the unlimited data. What with babysitting this and another website or two it's not uncommon for us to churn through 10 gigabytes/month. And it's useable, as mentioned above, anywhere there's enough signal to make a phone call. It's what I'm using to post this as we scoot eastward on I-94 in eastern Montana.
It works fine on the salt, too. All of the photos that I've put here over the years have gone up through the card, and when the file is too big to go onto the site - I send those big files to the Photobucket library and then post 'em that way. 5MB file photo? Fine. Those 12-15MB photo files that Pork Pie sends us for the Salt Talks t-shirt? Aircard.
If you want any other information I'll try to answer questions, but for our dollar -- they're great.
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Stan's comments about potholes is pretty worrisome. We are entered in the WOS meet, certainly hope things improve by then. Maybe we will get a calibration on salt conditions during the BUB meet, assuming it goes as scheduled.
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Jon,
We had an ATT unlimited data plan with an aircard and got a notice that they were going to end support for the 3G phones and that we would have to upgrade to 4G and that they would no longer be offering us the unlimited plan even a Grandfathered one. We now have Verizon.
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Hey, Doug - I'd forgot about that little bit. We, too, had to upgrade to 4G, but our local Verizon shop managed to let us keep the contract. What we were told to do was buy the card online (from any of the zillionns of air card vendors) and then she'd set it up for us. She did - and we still have that unlimited plan.
But the good part of the story is that said local Verizon shop is a Marquette-area business that does lots of 2 way radio business as well as being a Verizon rep, and from that we get someone who knows how to talk to real people - instead of a youngster that speaks only in Tech Geek-ese. :roll: :roll:
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Some more pics from Friday:
Burton Brown streamliner:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/BB01_zpsc0831676.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/BB02_zps8e4c9b63.jpg)
Flatcad bail-out, Ron Jolliffe, inspector:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flatcad01_zpsc261bdfb.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flatcad02_zps583e8352.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flatcad03_zpsaa432d8b.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flatcad04_zpsc3ca14cf.jpg)
Signing off the tech:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flatcad05_zps8beb7297.jpg)
More to come.
Mike
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Austin, waiting with the rest of us:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Midget02_zpsc2f16dcd.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Midget01_zpse620da21.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Midget03_zpsc67baa62.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Midget04_zpsc41075c6.jpg)
The 351 roadster:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flathead01_zps2d07ad86.jpg)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Flathead02_zps55ad1e2a.jpg)
Poster on the SCTA sales trailer:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Bonneville%202014/Poster_zps33c595a7.jpg)
That's all :-(
Mike
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I understand that on Sunday the BLM had to turn jurisdiction of the Salt Flats over to the Coast Guard.
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Mike , great pics! Just curious how you got close enough for pics, but I didn't get to meet you?
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Well, that's a good question. I'm trying to think of some way to blame that Drury character, but I don't see how I can.
Right after those pictures, I went over to, ahem, introduce myself to Chris Conrad. Jim Kitchen was there and then Marty Strode, and I got distracted. Every time I looked over at you guys, you seemed really busy with oil leaks or some such.
Sorry. :oops:
Mike
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Mike, the guy called me. I gave him my address near a Fred Meyer in NE Portland. Told him to look for my Black Roush Ford Pickup and I would be the unarmed bearded guy.
Sleep tight...................................... One Run, out.................................. :-o
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I spied a Walmartian in SLC! shocked shocked
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheers:
PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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I would be willing to add $5.00 to my entry fee for an option to any system that would send me a text notice direct to my phone like motels and airlines do---Andy and I got lucky Sum called me just before we mounted up and put the phone on the charger!! Saved us another 350 mile drive---yeah--!!!!!!!!!
And I was then able to call my son before he got on a plane!!
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The best contact line to the Pickle is thru his wife.
More personable and when she looks at him and says "talk"
he does. She says "shut up" and he does.
Gotta learn the methods of royalty.
FREUD
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I would be willing to add $5.00 to my entry fee for an option to any system that would send me a text notice direct to my phone like motels and airlines do---Andy and I got lucky Sum called me just before we mounted up and put the phone on the charger!! Saved us another 350 mile drive---yeah--!!!!!!!!!
And I was then able to call my son before he got on a plane!!
How about we keep in mind that we have no control over Mother Nature and that this is an event put on in the middle of nowhere BY VOLUNTEERS.
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I assure you I am well aware of that---I am TRYING to support them and our sport by a system that would work for as many as possible---a text message to a mobile phone number listed on your entry would work for almost everyone--- if I follow this thread correctly this system has be mentioned already. I would bet it is as simple or more so than posting to face book----ymmv
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Beings that I hauled my racecar all the way there, do I get a participant sticker?
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I think you may be able to wangle a cap, in that if you had paid an entry, shown up, started to set up your pit and then realized that you had forgotten your fire suit or some such, and had to race home to get it and broke down on the way back, only to arrive just as the meet was ending, I think you would still be able to get a cap.
I think....
OTOH it may be that you get that stuff after you've passed tech...... Did you get teched in one of the parking lots?
(So many questions... so little REAL information)
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I assure you I am well aware of that---I am TRYING to support them and our sport by a system that would work for as many as possible---a text message to a mobile phone number listed on your entry would work for almost everyone--- if I follow this thread correctly this system has be mentioned already. I would bet it is as simple or more so than posting to face book----ymmv
I don;t text as many others don't, A phone is for talking.
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And talking you do quite well, Glen. Your typing, OTOH, needs work (I can see why you don't text).
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For such a high-tech, fast-changing sport, why don't some racers keep up with technology in the rest of their life? That is not a criticism, but just a curiosity on the psychology of racers.
Who would NOT want to get a a robo-call or text that the event is canceled while they are still 700 miles away? That call could save them $1000s.
Don
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Yes Don, technology moves very fast.... LSR technology.... not so much... Flatheads in roadsters are still on the trailing edge of technology... Most of us use all the technology our brains can absorb.
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For such a high-tech, fast-changing sport, why don't some racers keep up with technology in the rest of their life? That is not a criticism, but just a curiosity on the psychology of racers.
Who would NOT want to get a a robo-call or text that the event is canceled while they are still 700 miles away? That call could save them $1000s.
Don
I am not a racer, but a helper and watcher. I make my living with computers, and the last thing I want to do is carry one (smart phone) with me during the few hours I am not working on them. The other issue, is I am cheap. I get my phone that lets me keep in touch with my family for just over $25 a month. Each text costs me 0.25, and the first two that I got were trying to sell me something. Just what I want to do, pay for someone to sell me something. I did keep up on the computer on this issue until we left Saturday morning to head down. I am extremely grateful that George Hake gave me a call when we were only 150 miles down the road. I am old and kind of set in my ways, but has been said, a phone is to talk on. I do realize I am in a minority, but as long as there is some kind of notification, that works. Just don't want a smart phone to be the only method of notification. I did not have any issues with how it was done over the week.
Please take this with a grain of salt as I am not unhappy with anyone just commenting on the why does not everyone have a smart phone?
Doug
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Doug almost the same thing here.
I also work in IT and have never owned a smart phone nor wanted one.
I have the cheapest plain Jane cell phone I can buy, it does talk and text only.
About 95% of my cell minutes get burned up by work pages generated by the servers.
I make maybe 1 possibly 2 personal voice calls a month and perhaps 3-4 personal text messages a month.
All the rest of the usage goes to service work pages. The people that I keep in touch with I talk to via email or FB messages.
That is why until this year, I simply unplugged when I went out to bonneville and would drop off all the forums, FB and email, because I literally had no way to do it out there by choice.
That said, I prefer text messages over voice calls by a wide margin, with email a close second.
I work night shifts and the last thing I want to do is get woken up at 10:00 AM (my 5:00 in the morning) by some sales call, and for some reason my friends don't appreciate a voice phone call at 2:00 AM in the morning which is my early evening (like normal people's 8:00 pm). With text and email I can answer a message 6 hours after it is sent and everyone is happy. Also where I live and work voice cell service sucks unless I go outside the building, and chatting on phone on the sidewalk in a snow storm is not high on my fun list.
My recent purchase of a tablet is a middle ground, it does not make phone calls, which is a good thing in my world, but it can send and receive email (something I could not do on my old school cell phone).
I can also use it to post on a few forums and check weather forecasts etc. which is what justified its purchase.
I personally would love to get a push text message update about Bonneville events, but I completely understand folks who have other habits of communication and other preferences.
http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/09/19/americans-and-text-messaging/
According to Pew Research just a bit over 1/4 of Americans do not use text messaging at all.
Some 83% of American adults own cell phones and three-quarters of them (73%) send and receive text messages.
My personal use of text messages and voice calls is an order of magnitude lower than average users.
I personally hate blind calling people I don't know very well, unless they have told me when it is a good time to call them.
I won't even answer a voice phone call from an unknown number. If they are a friend and know me they know to send me a text message.
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The main reason I said text is more than once it has saved my bacon when I was able to pull my phone out and---right there in writing was my conformation!!!
I have always asked for the dumbest phone possible---well it is now a whole lot smarter than I ever care to be about most of its capability---that I do not use and will not
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Hey, hotrod,
Don't forget that your ("does not make phone calls") tablet can probably use Skype!
And for what we are talking about Text is miles better for notification than voice, in that the technology of texting is that when the carrier receives a text and is told to send it out, the carrier begins to poll the airways, looking for the particular device. It does nothing until it gets a signal from the device letting it know that the device is in a place where it can receive, at which point the carrier sends the text. When it is all done the device responds with what it has received and the carrier checks that against what was sent. If they match everyone disconnects. If they don't, the text is re-sent until the two devices match. Wayy better than, "You're breaking up... can you repeat that? Huh? What? Can you hear me now?")
Just sayin'
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Have never used skype.
Email does a perfectly good job of sending single or multiple text messages to cell phones if you have the proper text message address information.
The provider will queue up the text message and deliver it when it makes connection with the addressed device.
If the organization does not set something up, if people going to this year's World of Speed want text messages on their cell phones of major announcements I could send them notifications based on the official USFRA web page info if I had their cell number and carrier info.
All I would need is the cell phone number of the phone they want the text message to go to and the carrier that provides their cell service.
Then build a list of those addresses and to send a message just cut and paste that list of addresses into an email and poof send a text message.
I plan on going to the Shoot Out, but will be at home/work during the run up to and running of World of speed.
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And talking you do quite well, Glen. Your typing, OTOH, needs work (I can see why you don't text).
Fat Fingers Jim.
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I heard Glen has to use tweezers to pick his nose........... just sayin.................... :-D :roll: :-D
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I hope someone from the SCTA Board is reading this and makes a serious effort to add push notifications/SMS/alerts to the communications channel.
When it comes to down to measuring your speed they don't use handheld stop watches or smoke signals....why are then acting like FB its the answer and the website is the back up system? Most of us got the emergency alert on our smartphones on Wednesday at 7:43 pm about the flash floor warning...I was in a restaurant at the Montego and many phones sounded the alert. As someone said, I bet that if you can have the option when you send in your registration fee to get a cell phone notification update for $5 extra, most of us will sign up to save thousands of $ on Hotel and travel fees.
Entry Fees:
I also heard from many folks that we should expect refunds? Is this true even due to weather cancelation?
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One thing we have to remember is that Joann, as far as I know, is pretty much alone in the office. Keep that in mind when we suggest taking 500-700 phone numbers and setting them up in a manner to text people and do it in a way where these numbers are not out in the public domain.
As some have mentioned some of this has to fall on our shoulders and we need to network with each other. Once things got started the FB updates did the job and yes I hate FB, but I can't expect them to use what I like. If you can't get on it in a situation like this then network with a friend that is at home that can and have them text or call you.
This hopefully was an unusual year and hopefully won't happen again for some time. Still I don't remember any time in the past where we would of had as much information at our disposal as we had this year. Thanks SCTA and thanks to all of the unlucky souls that had to go out there and tear everything down in that water. Compared to what they had to go through our problems were minor and Jon thanks for this site and the info that was available to us here,
Sum
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Well put Sum
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One thing we have to remember is that Joann, as far as I know, is pretty much alone in the office. Keep that in mind when we suggest taking 500-700 phone numbers and setting them up in a manner to text people and do it in a way where these numbers are not out in the public domain.
Everybody on this website knows how to post...all it takes to have one new page set up on the SCTA website, which allows individuals to add their phone number for special alerts. If this is started today, you will have almost 90% of all racers and crew signed up by next Speedweek. Nobody else sees this number other than SCTA staff. Then you have 1-2 people with access to this page and the possibility to send email alerts to the list. It is not complicated and expensive to set up....one just needs to want it and make live easier for Joann if she is this person who would do this.
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I've heard that if you go outside you can tell if it's raining. Where you are. Not five miles away. No batteries needed.
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I heard that you can go outside to see if there is a tornado as well, but getting a warning that one is 5 miles away might be helpful in having the opportunity to put down the beer, get off the stool, and take cover...
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BTW, If I don't get notified because of my computer/phone choices, that is my problem, not the organizers. I was pretty well kept up, just took the chance early Saturday morning before any decisions were made. I found out within half an hour of the posting. As Sum said, we need to network with each other. Hope it does not have to happen again though.
Doug
For all the good people here: :cheers:
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We were loaded and ready to leave at 5 AM Thursday morning. Sometime Wednesday evening we got the word about the postponement. So we all decided to leave at 5 AM Sunday. On Friday evening we got the word not to leave. I m not good on computers and can not find SCTA on FB without the link posted here. And everything worked great for me. So in my opinion, if you didn't get the word it was due to a lack of due diligence on your part
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I think you may be able to wangle a cap, in that if you had paid an entry, shown up, started to set up your pit and then realized that you had forgotten your fire suit or some such, and had to race home to get it and broke down on the way back, only to arrive just as the meet was ending, I think you would still be able to get a cap.
I think....
OTOH it may be that you get that stuff after you've passed tech...... Did you get teched in one of the parking lots?
(So many questions... so little REAL information)
I didn't get the pleasure of getting tech'd in the parking lot. I guess I was in the wrong parking lot. I was in the one across from the Nugget, next to the expo hall. I did pay my entry fee but all I received was a member sticker, which is the same one you get for joining BNI. When I asked at the trailer if I get my bag of stuff, they said no and that was final. Even if I get my entry back (minus the $100) it would be nice to get a participant sticker for my $100. After 26 years of entries, you would think I could at least get a doggone sticker!
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The problem is that relying on friends or "I heard's" is sometimes far from accurate as are website tweets. It is to darn easy for 2nd hand info to distort news.
I am not proposing Joanne answer the phone. Why cannot a separate phone message only line (possibly mobile) be set up by the SCTA accessable by SCTA officials that is only used before and at SCTA/BNI meets including El Mirage. What is so Dodge hard about a single number with a immediate updated recorded message that any dufus can dial up on request? You know, people like Stan, Stainless, and Me and possibly you.
I do not have a problem with that same message being put on Facebook, Twitter, Billboards or even sex chat sites. What no one here has answered is the question I asked in my very first post: WHY THE HECK ARE WE NOT POSTING THESE UPDATES ON THE SCTA WEBSITE... you know, the one where you get event dates, entry forms,
event results, rule book info or where to get one. Is this that fu*king hard?
I don't get it and from the phone and text message support I have received, neather do several other racers and a few SCTA workers whose names I won't divulge here.
Respectfully, Bob Drury
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Maybe if you let the SCTA/BNI staff get home and have a meeting to discuss this and come up with something that will work for everyone. Joann was on the way or at the salt as well as a few others hoping to make the meet come off. I have been thru 4 total rain outs and a couple of shorten meets over the years. El Mirage is no different with rain outs and ugly wind and dust storms 3 this year. The tear down team has to pick up miles of wire, pick up a thousand cones and all has to be washed and stored for the next event, the trailers require cleaning and brakes cleaned and serviced
as well. Give them a break and let the get home and have a a meeting. I'll bet they will come up with something. Landracing.com, the SCTA web, Facebook are good sources but someone has to be there to do the inputs. :cheers:
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The problem is that relying on friends or "I heard's" is sometimes far from accurate as are website tweets. It is to darn easy for 2nd hand info to distort news.
I am not proposing Joanne answer the phone. Why cannot a separate phone message only line (possibly mobile) be set up by the SCTA accessable by SCTA officials that is only used before and at SCTA/BNI meets including El Mirage. What is so Dodge hard about a single number with a immediate updated recorded message that any dufus can dial up on request? You know, people like Stan, Stainless, and Me and possibly you.
I do not have a problem with that same message being put on Facebook, Twitter, Billboards or even sex chat sites. What no one here has answered is the question I asked in my very first post: WHY THE HECK ARE WE NOT POSTING THESE UPDATES ON THE SCTA WEBSITE... you know, the one where you get event dates, entry forms,
event results, rule book info or where to get one. Is this that fu*king hard?
I don't get it and from the phone and text message support I have received, neather do several other racers and a few SCTA workers whose names I won't divulge here.
Respectfully, Bob Drury
First, good to see you Bob at the event :-).
As has been noted a couple times already almost anyone can post a message to FB but very few have the software or know how to create a web page or edit one and then get that uploaded to a server. That is probably why things are posted much faster to a FB page vs. the SCTA's site.
If you can get to the site web page why can't you get to the FB page? Once either have been saved to your favorites either can be accessed with one click.
I never tried the office land line but thought I had read somewhere here that the message was changed at some point, but there again who is at the office and is it easier or harder to do that than do what they did do for us.
As far as the friend deal, with us John called a couple times and read verbatim the FB message posted by an official. That can't get too screwed up,
Sum
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Thanx Glen, I sure didn't mean to imply that change of some sort would not be forthcoming. We can't change the past and I certainly feel confident that they will look at everything.
I think we all are appreciative of the many volunteers do and have done to make it possible for the rest of us to live our dreams.
I only wish that they would put you back where you belong.............. The timing tower.
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Bob
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Thanks one run, I will announce the USFRA meet if it's dry enough to run. I ain't done yet. :cheers:
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Sum, it was also great to get what little time we had to share. I hope Ruth is doing better. See you next year and even OLD Hooley.
Bob
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Why cannot a separate phone message only line (possibly mobile) be set up by the SCTA accessable by SCTA officials that is only used before and at SCTA/BNI meets including El Mirage. What is so Dodge hard about a single number with a immediate updated recorded message that any dufus can dial up on request?
This was done and updated twice a day. I already reviewed this in a previous post.
What no one here has answered is the question I asked in my very first post: WHY THE HECK ARE WE NOT POSTING THESE UPDATES ON THE SCTA WEBSITE... you know, the one where you get event dates, entry forms,
event results, rule book info or where to get one. Is this that fu*king hard?
This was also done, twice daily, as I have previously stated. All info was supplied to each avenue at the same time. The FB postings were immediate and the website was 10 to 30 minutes behind that as changing HTML code takes longer than a simple copy/paste. The info was out there and multiple vehicles carried it.
I
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If you were in Wendover and listening to rumors, you got what you asked for. If there was a phone number to call, the message would probably been, "no decision has been made yet. You will be informed if there is any change" When it was decided to cancel the meet, the word got out pretty quick. Before it was decided to cancel the meet, what would you have expected to hear? The phone message would have just been "Meet postponed until Monday" What else would you want in the way of information?
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I only wish that they would put you back where you belong.............. The timing tower.
Have hope! I saw this posted on the men's room wall at Carmen's Black and White:
"For a good time see Glen!"
Can't be sure about the Lady's room, tho'. D.W., I've known you to get confused sometimes about these things. Do they say nice things about Glen anywhere in the Lady's room at Carmen's?
(Oh well. I guess that's it for my dreams of that blue hat.)
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"I've heard that if you go outside you can tell if it's raining. Where you are. Not five miles away. No batteries needed."
SB sometimes your SA attitude does not become you.
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Thanks one run, I will announce the USFRA meet if it's dry enough to run. I ain't done yet. :cheers:
That's the icing on the cake.
I want to hear Glen say - "Take it to impound."
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Not to start (ahem) a rumor, cause this aint one, I wonder if besides the W.O.S., The Cook Shoot out might be interested in enlarging its meet.
I am sure Mike has already been approached by someone about that subject but it might be a logistical nightmare for Mike and his crew.
Just Dreamin............ Bob
Just one more quick thought: Allthough it wouldn't have mattered at Speedweek, is there a possibility in the future to work out a contingency plan with the BLM that might give the SCTA/BNI to add days to our usage permit as long as it didn't interfere with another event (or, God forbid) another airplane/watch commercial.
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Anybody know if next year's dates have been set? I always manage to miss them.
Doug
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I'm going to make a few EWAGs here about extending the various events.
WoS has already stated that if they were to extend their event -- it'd be by adding a day at the beginning. Here's my EWAG: I doubt that they could move it more than that one day because of the time required to set up the courses and the time required for the Motorcycle meet to clean up and clear out. That event is only a few days before WoS anyway.
WoS can't be extended by running it later because Mike Cook's Shootout starts right after WoS and therefore USFRA has to clean up. Yes, Mike's Shootout is on a different course and a couple of days later than WoS, but course grooming, including where the International course crosses the USFRA courses, take some time. Don't hurry -- do it right.
Then there's the issue of getting permitted dates from BLM. The various events get those dates well in advance, and while I don't know for certain, changing them/extending them takes more than just a phone call saying "Please may we have a couple of extra days?" I won't even add the potential of there being other permits granted of which we know nothing (private time for anything or anyone).
I'll let the groups and BLM and the volunteers do the thinking and calling and wrangling on this subject - as if I could offer much in the way of "new" news anyway. :-)
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I understand that wire was never laid for SpeedWeek. It was considered that the depth of the water everywhere would damage it.
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Oh Stan I hope that is true, going through all that wire checking splices for integrity is a two day job with 25 or so people at Mangelli's
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Slim, thank's a lot for the "time line". I am sure that in the long run trying to change permit dates could be a nightmare.
Bob
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Oh Stan I hope that is true, going through all that wire checking splices for integrity is a two day job with 25 or so people at Mangelli's
Yep, Stan is correct. The laying of the wire was put off for a day, then another, and another... It would have been ugly if it sat out there submerged, thankfully it is all still good to go.
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I guess I could tell you all about the adventures that Trevor and the rest of his crew from Honey Bucket went through - with Nancy and me, too. The good thing is that dang near none of them were used before the courses got closed. That's good because quite a few of them blew down (whether tie down of not).
But now you know why water in the (salt) lake is blue -- from all of the spilled porta-potties.
Also -- Pork Pie and I did go out Saturday afternoon to rescue our pit trailer. The water came up to the bottom of the wheel rims and was well above our ankles.
If you want to hear more about the toilets you'll have to ask, :evil:
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Jon, do not forget to pull your brake drums on both your truck and trailer and desalt em' right now! Bob
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I sure hope your brakes are OK on the trailer.
I didn't think quickly enough when we were discussing them, or I might have suggested a trip to the power car wash and spray as much as possible around the edge of the drums to do a flushout for the trip home.
Guess it's safe to say you didn't get a surprise "lock up" on a mountain pass.
Jim
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Nope. Indeed, we got no rain of any kind on the way home (got in a bit past midnight last night). When I went out to the truck this morning it was dripping with (salty) condensation from the dew. I've got a bit of washing the truck and trailer to do -- and some work on the brakes, too. I've already bought enough new calipers this year and I'd like to skip that purchase for a year or two.
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....If you want to hear more about the toilets you'll have to ask, :evil:
I don't know more about the toilets but they did call us on our way home and posted a full credit back to the card without us even asking. I thought that was great and will for sure use them again next time,
Sum
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....If you want to hear more about the toilets you'll have to ask, :evil:
I don't know more about the toilets but they did call us on our way home and posted a full credit back to the card without us even asking. I thought that was great and will for sure use them again next time,
Sum
DITTO
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You mean to tell me that the Okies and Hillbillys from Missouri have to have their own pots?????
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You mean to tell me that the Okies and Hillbillys from Missouri have to have their own pots?????
When the Wives are with us, YES! But, they are kinda handy.
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You mean to tell me that the Okies and Hillbillys from Missouri have to have their own pots?????
When the Wives are with us, YES! But, they are kinda handy.
Trust me on this one - handing the key to a private porta potty to your wife will go farther toward increased tolerance of this sport than all the roses in Pasadena on New Years Day.
VERY CHEAP MARRIAGE INSURANCE.
Yes, I got that call, too. Credited back to the card.
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Uprighting the water logged potties was good squatting and core exercise lol
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Just posted on the SCTA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation (https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation):
Dear SCTA-BNI Racers and Fans,
As you know the Board had a very tough decision to cancel this year’s Century of Speed celebration at this year’s Speed Week. In order for all of the competitors and fans to completely understand our reasoning so we are providing this explanation of the process involved in the cancellation decision.
As we had stated earlier in the week the conditions at the Bonneville Salt Flats were excellent. The courses looked smooth and very hard. After our initial set-up we were ready to complete the courses by installing the timing wire and clocks and also the edge and center painted lines, we had planned those for Thursday. When it rained Wednesday evening we were forced to delay the opening of tech inspection and the final course set-up items for 24 hours. The slight bit of rain that fell was not a real concern for us as it had occurred in the past with little long term impact.
On Thursday we finished much of the course marking and with the standing (but receding) water on the courses we decided to delay another 24 hours to allow for additional drying to occur. We had not yet laid down the timing system wire and we did not want to do this in standing water. Leaving the salt that evening it started to rain and really dropped quite a bit of water on the courses. Some of the officials have seen this in the past and they stated that we should use caution here to ensure that we did not call the race too early as this condition has historically cleared in the past. The courses had shown signs of improvement overnight especially courses 2-3 as they are the highest in elevation by a slight amount. This drying is what gave us reason for another 24 hour delay rather than an outright cancellation.
When it rained on Friday night we knew that we might have a permanent problem and we dispatched veteran Board member Roy Creel to the salt immediately. He noted that the rain was not coming down on the BSF but just in Wendover, so we decided to stay the course and see what Saturday brought us. During this delay Bill Lattin the BNI Chairman and SCTA Race Director asked a number of long-time Bonneville racers to accompany us to the BSF in the morning to review conditions. Saturday morning we all gathered together and took a driving tour of the race courses. It was very obvious that the rain that had initially missed the BSF had actually circled around (just like we saw on the radar) and the squall was quite severe. The amount of water on the BSF was unsurmountable.
This was a difficult position for the Board. We tried to balance the optimism of knowing that water historically dries-off of the BSF courses very quickly. It is understood by all of the officials that of our racers must be informed as early as possible if a cancellation is imminent. The last thing that we wish to do is cause any undue financial or time burden on the competitors and fans, and give them as much time to allow for a change in their scheduling as possible. Many of our racers and fans have regular jobs and they need to schedule this time-off and that is a big part of our decision making process. How to reduce the financial and travel expense exposure is very important to us and we considered this in our decision making process. The racer is at the center of these decisions with this Board. It was the racer that we finally had to serve and give the cancellation notice because we would not be able to provide a dry competitive racing surface.
This year we tried to have all of our communications in concert with one another. We updated the phone line at the SCTA office, we updated the SCTA website with current information and we used a new tool this year Facebook to get the word out too. If you went to the live streaming link on the SCTA website we even put up a loop of the same information in the form of an audio interview with pictures running in the background. Given another day we had already gathered the items to get the FM radio station up to help as well, but the race was cancelled before we could get that plan in-place. When we cancelled we also called all of the major hotels to inform them of our decision. There were also a few TV interviews that went out on the TV as well. Communication with the racers and public was better than ever and even with this a few did not get the word timely and we are sorry for that. Many of you did not know that we sent teams out to the hotels to start inspections on Thursday and Friday to see if we could help once we started racing. This was not formal as we did not have an area that was easily open to us so we did the best that we could.
It has since rained twice more on the BSF since Saturday so our decision was timely if not for hurtful to all of us. We are looking at what our options are for October and the Board will meet on the 22nd to make those final decisions. The SCTA thanks all of our dedicated racers and fans for their support and we hope to see you in September/October.
Regards,
Scott C. Andrews
SCTA President/Chief Timer
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As one of the Inspectors trying to help with the Casino Parking Lot Inspections, I`d like to thank all the Teams I worked with on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You were all cheerful and accomodating, and with the Weather and its consequences, you could have easily became grouchy.....I also want to Thank John Langlo for the Rain soaked Margarita on Friday late afternoon. I think it took until Sunday to get that one out of my system. Hope to see you all at World Finals, work and finances permitting......
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As one of the Inspectors trying to help with the Casino Parking Lot Inspections, I`d like to thank all the Teams I worked with on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You were all cheerful and accomodating, and with the Weather and its consequences, you could have easily became grouchy.....I also want to Thank John Langlo for the Rain soaked Margarita on Friday late afternoon. I think it took until Sunday to get that one out of my system. Hope to see you all at World Finals, work and finances permitting......
HEY..you only had one :-D Next year I'm bringing a shot glass instead of guessing :roll:
JL222
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JoAnn left a message saying we would be getting a refund on our $525 entry fee minus a $100 processing fee :cheers:
JL222
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Nice one Paul. :wink: :cheers:
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Thanks for the details, Scott,
Somehow I just KNEW all y'all were not sitting in your hotel rooms over heating the blender while all this went down. NOBODY goes out here with the notion of, "Let's see how hard we can make this on the racers." So THANK YOU for your efforts, during both the dry times and the WET times. Too bad we couldn't have steered some of that rain to California.
Knapp
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Gosh as an outsider (not a racer or spectator - just an interested newbie) I have huge sympathy with the disappointment you must all be suffering. I have to say Scott's post above shows the SCTA are very professional and couldn't have done more in the circumstances. Weather is so difficult sometimes - everyone wants, hopes desperately, it will work out and it must be very difficult to call something like this off.
There's always going to be another time to run guys - no one said this sort of thing is easy...
Hopefully I'll make the journey sometime to this amazing event.
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I have been reading all the comments in regards to how the SCTA should or shouldn't have communicated with everyone. There are a lot of opinions in this forum and I am not saying that any of them are wrong, but the SCTA is made up of volunteers...None of them get paid. Before the internet & cell phones, everyone would have driven to Bonneville & got turned around because of rain, and no one would have blamed anyone. The rumors would have flown around the same as they did this time.
I believe the SCTA did their best...They updated their Facebook page & their Website twice daily...Does it really matter which one was updated faster? And I know for a fact that they went to hotels and were telling people as they walked by regarding updates, because I did it personally...To expect them to communicate how everyone individually wants them to is asking a little much...It would take a team of people to Tweet, Tumblr, Facebook, email, text, call, update answering machines, google+, myspace, website updates, etc...Facebook does not require personal information except for an email address and you can get alerts to your phone just like your email.
I think suggesting new ways of communicating is great, but it should be done in a positive way. And remember, all of the people trying to get the important information out to you, are volunteers.
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Heather:
While I agree that it'd take a team of people to send out notices on all of the "major" forms of communications these days -- choosing just one, as you suggest by implication, doesn't necessarily make it the right thing - or the only thing to do. And by the same token -- I know fully well that SCTA does have a team of people that take great pains to be in contact with racers, members, crews, and all of the folks interested in land speed racing.
But as a webmaster/owner I know how easy it is to put updates and fresh information on a website. If there's nobody that's able/authorised to do that for SCTA -- whose fault is that? Call/email/FB/Tweet/ask that person to do it -- and it can be done quickly. If it isn't easy -- maybe it's time to find someone whose responsibility is doing the website on a regular and timely basis. After all of the effort SCTA has put into their website I think naysaying it and its' ability to provide up-to-the minute information is disingenuous. If I can do it -- and I'm sure not a whiz when it comes to running a computer or site -- then you should be able to find someone in the group that can do it, too.
I expect it smarts for you, just like for me, to be told that "your" way of doing this stuff is not the best. But - if those that want the information suggest other means you could disregard the negative feelings and look at the suggestions as, perhaps, an even better way to keep us in contact. As a simple example -- nobody contacted me when there was a new Facebook post about the SpeedWeek "adventure" that was going on at Bville last week. A good size bunch of SCTA folks have my telephone number, and I was out there with them -- yet my way of getting the information so I could post it on landracing.com was almost unanimously by hearing from others that there had been a new post on Facebook. Come on -- I'm trying to help get the word out. I almost feel like you're trying to shut me out. Almost - but not quite. I can help spread information if you want my help.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Well Mystery Person, It seems that you, like Mystery Woman Sandee, don't think that different points of view or yes, criticism should be debated or put forth on this Website. Might you be related?
In one of my earlier posts, M.W.S. sort of skirted a couple of questions that myself and others asked.
The most important one is this: When it was decided that Facebook would be the main source of up to date info (what was eventually posted on the SCTA's website seemed to be a condensed version up to Saturdays final call) were all pre-entrants notified on this decision and if so when? If not, why?
As I stated in one of my recent posts, I am sure this will all be sorted out before our next meet and I agree that we are in a new era of communications but a very large portion of LSR racers are 60 and above, and don't have a clue (until now) what Facebook or Twitter are even about.
Obviously the word has spread but if someone (I am neither taking credit for or denying) doesn't risk taking the heat by presenting the other side or point of view, this can could have been kicked a lot further down the road.
By the way, If you continue to post on this site (and I hope you do), I think you will realize that most folks here will have a lot more respect for what you say if you use your real name and location.
With respect for your point of view,
Bob Drury
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... yet my way of getting the information so I could post it on landracing.com was almost unanimously by hearing from others that there had been a new post on Facebook. Come on -- I'm trying to help get the word out. I almost feel like you're trying to shut me out. Almost - but not quite. I can help spread information if you want my help.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Jon I don't sense anyone is trying to shut you out. I don't like FB any better than most on here and don't use it myself, but in this case they said they would post there and did so I feel it is my obligation to either go there or to the SCTA site for information first or find someone that will and get me the info.
.... As I stated in one of my recent posts, I am sure this will all be sorted out before our next meet and I agree that we are in a new era of communications but a very large portion of LSR racers are 60 and above, and don't have a clue (until now) what Facebook or Twitter are even about....
Bob I really had never used FB, but since I wanted info and that is where it was going to be posted I figured it out. Compared to all of the things we have to figure out to run on the salt this is minor and as John has pointed out you don't have to join FB to get the info. Go there once and save it in your favorites.
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By the way, If you continue to post on this site (and I hope you do), I think you will realize that most folks here will have a lot more respect for what you say if you use your real name and location.
With respect for your point of view,
Bob Drury
Bob, not picking on you, but come on, you, me and a couple dozen other people on here post with our real names. Does that mean we don't have respect for the others?
Sumner
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What's a favorite?
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Sum, as for your first statement you seem to assume that we all bring lap top computers or have those new thingies that won't fit in my pockets.
In answer to your second statement I suggest you reread my post. I said MORE RESPECT for what you say and I stand behind it.
In most cases, unless you are a newby you soon figure out who is behind the pseudoname and virtually all post their location (which at least gives one a hint).
I respect everything you post Sum and you might notice, if I post in jest I use "Ol' One Run", but if I am serious about something I mean what I say, right or wrong, and you can bet your bippy I will use my given name.
With respect to all,
Bob Drury
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My point, Sum, was that I was in the thick of it with many SCTA folks, and when they were posting their updates on Facebook they could easily have told me of the new information. I got information on many things first-hand since Nancy and I see them and work with them and hang around with the SCTA folks, but I didn't get much of the information that we were getting via Facebook. They know quite well that I operate the site, and they know that we've got many racers on the site, so to have me get the information to post wouldn't have been that difficult or time-consuming. That's what I meant -- not that we shouldn't use their methods, but that they might want to use what lr.com has available, too. The more information that's put out there, to the largest number of people -- the better. At least that's my opinion.
I'm not trying to argue that the SCTA didn't send out information - not at all. I'm offering an olive branch by saying that I think this site can give more visibility to their intended audience, and that I'm offering help.
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More than once I have been told by SCTA/BNI "officials"......."I don't care to see any of this info. on that bull shit rag Landracing.com".............enough said.................................................................They don't like your "rag", Jon.............................
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Bob Drury,
I believe there is a difference between constructive criticism and just plain criticism. I never said that you debating things was wrong. In fact, all I did was express my opinion, just as you did.
Question #1:
When it was decided that Facebook would be the main source of up to date info (what was eventually posted on the SCTA's website seemed to be a condensed version up to Saturdays final call) were all pre-entrants notified on this decision and if so when?
I don’t believe that Facebook was made the main source of up to date info, it was just an added source. The posts that were on Facebook were on the website as well. It’s a lot quicker to post something on the Facebook Page because it can be done right from your phone with a copy/paste. There is a lot more involved in updating a web page. The posts I saw on the website through out the time we were there, were almost identical to the ones on Facebook. As far as the “condensed version” as you call it, no matter how you write it, cancelled is cancelled. Contacting Pre-Entrants – You would have to attend a Board Meeting and ask, I do not handle that.
Response to statement the new era of communication:
I very much understand that there a lot of people that choose not to use Facebook or Twitter. My whole point in writing on this page was to express, the SCTA did everything they could with the tools they had to work with in getting the information out. If people have suggestions that they think might better the communication, go to a board meeting and talk about it.
As far as respect because I didn’t use my name:
I noticed a lot of people on this forum do not use their name, but I respect everyone’s opinion that I read on this forum...As adults we should be able to have a civil conversation with one another without throwing digs at them like “Mystery Person”…If it is really important for you to know my name, it is Heather Black. And I think every volunteer that was out at Speed Week this year did an outstanding job & I appreciate every single one of them.
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And Jon....why does it state under my posting name "new folks"............SCTA/BNI have always done things "their way" even if it does not make any sense....it has worked well for them....they have been at it for a very long time.............but at times it will piss you off..............remember same "old group of good old boys" they just rotate around........but on the whole they do get the job done..........................................
I love them all...................."the long and the short and the tall"........................................................
NOT a "mystery person" BOB BAKKER................BAKKER MOTORSPORTS
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I'm sorry ladies, but someone is misinformed. scta-bni.org was rarely updated. In particular, it went approximately 24 hours, from Thursday late afternoon until Friday afternoon/evening, without an update, while FB had 3 or 4 (or more) updates.
If you guys had simply had the webmaster put a clickable link to FB with a BIG message that said to the effect of "Click here for the latest info" things would have been easier for some.
Many people really dislike Facebook. Some of us abhor it because of it's apparent lack of ethics and morals, i.e., they seem to do just about ANYTHING for a few extra pennies (x however many million users it has).
Mike
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Heather - and Bob:
Finding out who's this person using an assumed name on the landracing.com Forum isn't all that hard. It's how I figured out who you are, Heather.
Go to a post put there by the person you're trying to identify. Under the "name" you'll see a few icons, one of which will take you, when clicked upon, to an email form addressed to the person. Click and you'll see the email addy, and in many cases - heather's and mine, for instance - you'll be able to read in plain English to whom it'll go. for that matter - you don't even have to click on the email icon. Just put your cursor on the email thingie and wait a few seconds and viola -- there's the email address of the person. It is not necessary to be an administrator or owner of the website to do that -- anyone that's a registered member can make it work - easily. Sure, there are folks whose email address is something other than their name, such as Fudgebar. I know who belongs to that address - but then, he doesn't keep it a secret, either. I'm just saying that it doesn't always work to use the email address for identification. often enough, though, that it's worth trying before getting upset because you think someone is hiding behind an "assumed" name.
Late addition: Bob, I fooled around with the "status indicators" a while back, removing the old bunch of 'em such as "hero" and newbie" and so on. That system was used to give some indication of the total number of posts that said person had made. I changed it to "New Folks" but then set the required numbers too high. Many people that aren't new became "new folks". I'll get to changing that to something a bit more representative - or nuke the whole danged thing - soon. Thanks for reminding me. You aren't the first to do so, but rather the straw (post) that broke through my mental foggy wall. :?
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....I'm not trying to argue that the SCTA didn't send out information - not at all. I'm offering an olive branch by saying that I think this site can give more visibility to their intended audience, and that I'm offering help.
...and I think they would be wise to make use of this site whenever possible, it should be 'all of us' not 'them' and 'us',
Sum
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Geezees I have read and reread most of these posts---I do not pick up on any hard core attacks--just some suggestions on some additional ways that info could be gotten out---what am I missing
Jon, he is right about some "officials" resenting and making disparaging remarks about those of us who frequent landracing.com
been there & been accused & disparaged to my face about my use!!
This is not meant as an attack on the SCTA--just a mere statement of facts and reality:
Some folks just rub others the wrong way and I seem to do so more often than most!!
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Isn't Sandee, Scotts wife/SCTA Preiedent/chief timer. :cheers:
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This time I double promise to let this all go but one last thing.
To the best of my knowledge neither Myself or any one else has said anything negative about the SCTA volunteers and the work they do to make possible for the rest of us to chase our dream.
What I DID say in my first post on this subject pointed a finger directly at WHOM EVER made the call on making F.B. the "first and foremost" channel of the most current info and whether or not all pre entries were notified of said call or calls.
I stand by every thing I have posted on this topic. That does not mean that I am infalable, I am merely stating my beliefs. I also stated first and formost that I expected to take heat for my views, however I find it rather ironic that most of the most heated rebuttal has come from anonymous names with anonymous addresses.
I only take offense if the poster turns out to be someone who has never been associated with a LS race car or team and my reason for this is simple: until you have borrowed all the money you can to build, maintain, and haul a racecar from say Florida, you are in my mind not qualified to make statements regarding how any and all SCTA/BNI members receive information without stating what your role is. It is not a courtesy issue. I honest to God don't have a clue who you are and I only think I might know who Mysery Woman Sandee is. Maybee one or both of you is really Stan Back, who really is actually............ ah, never mind.
Bob Drury
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Bob Drury,
Like I said my name is Heather Black, I am not hiding from anyone...My family has (2) LSR cars and we work our butts off to race them...We have volunteered for many different things throughout the years and still do to this day...Facebook was never made the "First and Foremost" for information. It is just "a" source. And I am not saying your opinion is wrong, if you thought that, I apologize. I was just responding with mine.
Heather
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I think if we all just sat down and talked we could figure out a way to make the way we communicate work for everyone
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Bob you are correct, I am still financially trying to get over SW 2011! Yes I towed all the way from Florida and it's uphill the whole way. We burned a lot of diesel dinosaur fossils to get there!
I have no dog in this fight, I was just commenting on Bob's statement about the financial commitment and honored that he used Florida as a reference. We don't get much recognition down hear... why Freud doesn't even throw us a SE reunion party once a year! What's up with that DOC? :-D :cheers:
BR
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I agree, Heather, and I need to add something about my post from earlier this afternoon. It has been pointed out to me that I was repeat WAS on a "short list" to receive text messages about the SCTA's actions and reports as soon as they were made. I got them on the same list that other officials of the SCTA did. I apologise for saying that I didn't.
I went back through my log of received messages and can't find most of them except for the final one that cancelled the event. Because of that I can't go further to see if I was correct in saying that it took far longer for SCTA website posts about things going on than it took me. The cancellation one arrived at my phone at 11.29AM Saturday. Later on I'll try to get more information for you all - including the person that contacted me to point out my error.
I have been guilty of falling to the point of joining the gang of folks saying that the SCTA should have been more concerned about notifying us by every method available. I was wrong -- in that they did notify me of things. I did post them -- but more often by checking what Hotrod reported as he pasted the Facebook posts on our Forum. I can't say for sure that the texts I got were word for word the same as was posted on the site, but I do know that text messages are limited to 140 characters - and some of the FB posts were longer than that. In other words, the FB posts allowed for more details and information that I would have had to imply or guess what was happening.
Mea Culpa. I beg your forgiveness and will strive to do better in giving all of you current and correct information. If you feel that SCTA has fallen down on the job -- well, don't keep kicking the dog once it's down. Help it to get up and all better. That's what I thought I tried to do.
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And if speed week never rains out again all previous post are moot :cheers:
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By the also way - I was just sent a PM by a racer that looked at the SCTA Facebook page and found the following statement that was put there about an hour ago. Evidently I got the wrong people angry with me -- because I was left off the short list this time. Please, folks - put me back on that list. I promise to behave myself.
Here's the FB post. It gives us what so many have wanted -- information about how WF will be changed to become this year's SpeedWeek:
SPEEDWEEK AT WORLD FINALS:
"SCTA announces SpeedWeek at World Finals 2014. The SCTA is responding to requests by our racers to expand the normal World Finals to one full week of racing due to the rain out at the regularly scheduled SpeedWeek. Your Board is listening and we are going to give the racers and LSR fans what they want. We are working on the details, stay connected to get the most up-to-date information on this exciting announcement. The SCTA will be posting the details by this weekend on both our FaceBook and Website pages. We are going to continue SpeedWeek with the program remaining and participant merchandise from SpeedWeek being distributed to all SpeedWeek at World Finals competitors. Racing will start Saturday September 27th and continue through Friday October 3rd, 2014. Many more details to follow."
Edit added about 15 minutes after I clicked "send":
The announcement of SpeedWeek at World Finals isn't on the SCTA website yet. Q. E. D.
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And if speed week never rains out again all previous post are moot cheers
lol :cheers:
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hmm guess that means my pre-entry may still be good :cheers:
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I just saw a Facebook post from the scta .. It says anyone who posts on landracing can not get their pre-entry back or ever use it.. Unless they volunteer to call All racers in case it rains again in the next 20 years.. I guess after 20 years they are more relaxed.. Than those who don't have any contacts/friends .. Who like them enough to call them when it rains..
Lol. I'm kinda joking.... Kinda..
Seriously. I'm sure scta will learn from this.. And communication will be better in the future.. Rumor was they talked to our President.. You know .. Of the US of A .. He decreeded it shall never rain on a SCTA event ever again.. So that's where I'm putting my trust in..
Bob Dalton....
Tongue firmly in cheek... Relaxed and waiting for the World Finals..
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Yes it is on Face Book Via SCTA's Face Book Page. It is not signed by anyone, but looks legit.
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I learned about the cancellation on the elevator at the Montego Bay on Saturday morning just minutes after it was announced. Having driven through the rain on I-80 Friday night, I was not terribly surprised at the event being cancelled and cannot imagine anyone else who was there, being surprised either. I had been tracking the weather all week and stayed over in Colorado rather than rushing to Wendover in time for tech on Friday. It was a pain in the butt 1625 mile drive for us, but I am sick for the international visitors who easily spent 10X what I spent on transportation costs. While I don't want any handouts other than my hotel refund, it would sure be nice to aid the foreign racers with free entries in the future, admittedly it is a drop in the bucket, but still it is an easy gesture.
As to the earlier points about text and e-mail notifications, I totally agree about using that and even charging for it on the admission cost. It would be very simple to list an e-mail address, fax number, and a text number to all entries so that they could get up to date info as it is released.
Last thanks to all the volunteers for their time and effort. I realize that all of them sacrificed their time, vacation and personal funds to be there. We sure appreciate you guys and gals.
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A person experienced with a facebook site knows their way around and who and who not to pay attention to. This can be hard for a first time reader. Sometimes it pays to contact a person who is "in the know" to get their opinion about what to do. Around here we have teenagers and twentysomethings to do this for us. Rose and I can get plenty confused with social networking.
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I think the SCTA did a pretty good job considering the volatile nature of the weather. I don't have a twitter account and I have no idea how to text or how to look them up on my dumbphone. I did keep an eye on FB and got a couple of calls from friends already there. Running into some severe rain outside Ely is a clue. I arrived Friday evening and without talking to anyone had a pretty good idea as to what would happen. The downpour Friday evening told me I would be heading home Sunday.
Their updates on FB were a great help. I think more racers are on here than FB and it might be an idea for the SCTA to post here as well when weather conditions threaten a meet. But I feel the SCTA did as good as could be expected.
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It seems that Heather Black is doing a better job updating the SCTA FaceBook page than the official SCTA website is being done, looks like we need to give her a raise and take it from the people that are not updating the "official" SCTA page.
I was told SpeedWeek was cancelled early Saturday morning by a long time SCTA volunteer which saved us the drive out from California, 3 or 4 years ago I said I was not going to sign up on s h I t t t e r, myface, or spacebook however as I learned it is a way to stay in touch, informed and aware. You can either embrace it or drive to Bonneville and find put when you get there it is rained out.
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... SCTA/BNI "officials"... They don't like your "rag", Jon...
Some of us "New folks" don't have a clue what that's all about. :?
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This is the funniest thread on this forum, ever!
GET OFF MY LAWN YOU PUNK KIDS! LOL!
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So let me get this right. We're going to blame social media for the weather.
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YEP.... :-D
and them darn Spiders for the web mess... or was that al gore?
and that idiot that invented that phone thingy
the smoke signals I got the first two years it rained when I first build my car.. way back in the 80's
got lost on the way to cali.... damn wind any how.. I thought the smoke said go west..
Let me tell you folks... there ain't no salt flats in Santa Cruz..
I'm so thankful for facebook... and all the TMI and stupid pets.. and salt updates..
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Hey -- it could be worse. I've managed to stick my size 14 foot in my mouth - about to the knee, at least - twice during this "discussion". I think I'm going to bow out before anything worse happens. :-o I'll still watch and read -- just won't try to jump in with stuff that I think is important for me to say, so to speak.
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Some of us "New folks" don't have a clue what that's all about. huh
Welcome to our world --- This just about sums it up:
---people who THINK they know---meet those who KNOW they know!!
That just about sums up any organization I have ever been associated with---In reality all one has to do is change the subject matter, to move one, from one group to the other!--- ymmv
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I guess I missed a lot of what kept going in this thread. I will throw my $0.02 in. I do all of the social media for our teams and our biofuels project. Personally "getting the word out quickly" for me starts with Facebook as it is directly from my phone and disseminates to the greatest amount of people the quickest. By starting there I am then able to go forward and send out texts and make calls etc. Each one of those texts and calls are very time consuming, especially in sending out information quickly. Group texts really don't work because when people respond everyone sees and it gets a little crazy. I would believe those who don't have social media and/or smart phones likely aren't immediately seeing emails etc. and probably won't have the most prompt information because they don't have a million notifications popping up in their pocket immediately. Sometimes it would be really nice to easily remain unplugged but I am from a generation where because everything is so immediate we also expect immediate responses etc. I also greatly benefit from prompt information and have chosen to sacrifice other things in order to have this. I don't think everyone needs to do that however! I know for my teams I am the point of contact and stay on top of the goings-on and then it is my job to relay that as quickly and efficiently as possible. I think a lot of teams would benefit from having someone associated with them plugged in as such, I think it is a great way to get even the MUCH younger involved in LSR and in a way that they are familiar and comfortable with! I love all my LSR friends and hope we will continue the sport for generations to come! I hope everyone will stay civil towards each other and remember that when mother nature has her way we ALL lose and we all try our best to work around/with that. This was a good opportunity for all to learn better how to work with this type of setback. The weather came in after many teams arrived and it sucks. I am grateful for all those who worked so hard to try to make it happen and who are yet willing to try again. I know I found things I can do better next time and also how better to keep everyone up to date. Fingers crossed that mother nature cooperates and we get some fantastic racing in here between now and the end of the season! I think you are all awesome and look forward to getting to know more and more of you! It's only my third season at Bonneville and I am blown away how many racers there are and I love getting to know each of you! We have such an awesome, and addictive, sport. If I can ever help any of you please let me know and I will do my best! Let's get back out there and set some records!
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I might add another comment here regarding emergency notification.
As I mentioned before, I spent 14 years working in emergency management and one of my duties was as communications officer.
We had test exercises and actual emergencies every year that tested our notification systems and there are some lessons learned from that constant exposure to the multitude of ways that Murphy can stick his finger in your eye.
The most robust and failure resistant notification is some sort of tree cascade of notifications preferably with redundant notification for the most important points of contact. At the time we started using these we were very limited in communications compared to today, and much of our first notifications went out by land line telephone, fax systems or paging systems.
The weakness of paging and similar one way notification systems is that although they are fast to get the word out, you have no way of knowing if the intended recipient ever got the message. Same goes for cell phone text messages today (at least until you get a response back).
Pagers got left in cars over night, pagers got turned off while going to a movie and never turned back on, batteries died, user was outside a paging area, the pager went off but because it was under a pillow on the couch in the other room no one heard it, pagers got dropped in the toilet --- just about every operational error you can think of happens sooner or later.
Phones on the other hand are positive communications (although slow) if you get no answer you know that the message never got delivered, but you can still have failures as messages left with family members sometimes got forgotten etc.
As a result of those breaks in the communication chains you should always plan on at least 2 communications paths reaching each person who urgently must know about the situation.
The phone tree was the most reliable system we had then.
We sent out pages to our primary contact group and then started phone calls (including the same people for confirmation). We worried most about getting the message to at least 2 individuals in each operational group. It was their responsibility then to fan out the message to their co-workers and team members, with both people calling the same people but in reverse order. That way the first person called by X was the last person called by Y. That way each person got called twice but each person was called early in the fan out by one or the other of the primary contact people.
This same sort of system can be used by today's technology with only a few modifications necessary depending on who you work with and what level of technology they are comfortable with and have access too on a day to day basis.
As mentioned above finding a younger communications savvy member of a race team and making it their responsibility to keep up to date on what is going on and then updating key members of the teams regarding breaking news developments would be a wise idea.
Sending multiple manual text messages on many cell phones is painfully slow. On a full lap top or desk top computer system which can send text messages via email quickly and efficiently you can do it very quickly as a batch of BCC emails. Each person gets a single text message with one push of the enter key.
The response would best be a single text message back to your point of contact for your team that you got the text message.
Where I work, we do a lot of communication by text messages, for obvious messages we only send a single character response back. Just a "K" is all that is needed to say Okay I got your message and understand. It is mnemonically obvious as the letter K sounds like Okay.
By the way I just tested responding by text message back to a text message sent via the email message. At least on AT&T the response worked and went back to the same email account I sent the text message from.
Bottom line it should be the responsibility of each team to get the word to their people.
You need to take responsibility to pick and choose from the menu of available information sources and work out a system that fits your needs.
It is physically and financially impossible for the SCTA or any other organization to cover all bases all the time promptly when things are changing rapidly.
A communications fan out tree however is very efficient in both time and resources and can notify a vast number of people in a very short time.
official SCTA web page
SCTA face book page
phone message from a designated person
email or text message from a designated person
period stop an personal phone call to the SCTA phone number
monitoring traffic on various web sites including this one
etc.
For example lets assume our fan out for notifications involves 5 communications at each step.
SCTA (USFRA etc.) puts out a notification to 5 different paths.
(tier 1) The person making the announcement notifies 5 people. (5 people notified)
(tier 2) Each of those people notify 5 other people. (25 people notified)
(tier 3) Each of those people notify 5 other people. (125 people notified)
(tier 4) Each of those people notify 5 other people. (625 people notified)
Now lets make a small change ( the most important tiers are the 1st and second tier)
(tier 1) The person making the announcement notifies 7 people. (7 people notified)
(tier 2) Each of those people notify 6 other people. (42 people notified)
(tier 3) Each of those people notify 5 other people. (210 people notified)
(tier 4) Each of those people notify 5 other people. (1050 people notified)
As you can see geometric growth rapidly expands the numbers contacted to huge numbers.
In our case with modern communications methods, we can have 40 or 50 people in that second tier group if it includes FB, web pages and similar mass communications methods. If the first tier was a text phone message to key staff of the organization plus 4 or 5 mass communications paths like web pages, face book pages, and web forums and interested people monitoring those pages made just a few contacts to friends or team mates, you could contact the entire country in about 3-4 hops.
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Time to close this thread as its teetering on the edge of lunacy. What's next? All SCTA members get a small device implanted in our bodies that will buzz, vibrate, cause great pain every time there is rain in the vicinity of Utah?
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OK Hot Rod,
You want to go ahead and set that up.
DW
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Sent you a PM DW
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Being in Wendover last Saturday, the news got to me via Buddy Walker, who was at the next table having breakfast with the FlatCad crew.
He had his mobile device in his hand, and I don't know what source he gleaned the information from, but consider this . . .
20 years ago, how would this information have been sent to us?
The explanation letter would have arrived via the post office - we still wouldn't have seen that yet.
Those on the road on their trek to the event would have been stopping at payphones and making calls to hotel rooms of other competitors - and if their contacts were in the bar or the parking lot, the call would have gone unanswered.
Depending on the person behind the desk, a call to your hotel may or may not have gotten you a straight answer.
As to the issue of Facebook getting first priority over the SCTA Website, consider this -
From a hand held phone/device, you can access Facebook and post news and pictures in less than a minute. I'm not sure what the setup is to post information on the SCTA website, but I'm quite certain it's much more time consuming than a Facebook post, and probably required someone to actually sit down at a computer to make it happen.
The SCTA volunteers were probably quite harried Saturday morning. I think the Facebook post was a smart move to minimize as much unnecessary travel as possible for those who were traveling.
As to those who don't much care for Facebook - and while I have a page, I stand foursquare among you - a quick Google search gets you there - enter SCTA Facebook.
One of the things that often gets talked about here is "tribal knowledge". The routine things are easily picked up on, but it's been 20 years since a Speedweek rain-out.
And while this will likely put into place protocols for future rain-outs, who's to say that the technology available to those involved in the next rain-out - whenever that is - is going to be what was used this time?
You'll get no complaint from me about the SCTA on this one. They made every effort to pull this event off, working against a stacked deck and hoping against hope to make it happen.
My thanks goes out to everyone involved in trying to make Speedweek possible, and a special thanks to those who were delegated the task of informing the public as quickly as they did with the resources they had available to them.
:cheers:
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Whew,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,my hair hurts after reading all this. Me no text, no facebook, no twitter, no titter, no carrier pigeons, nuttin. Just my flip phone from 1987. I guess i will get by.
Jon, Ray and myself think your site is still the best. Mark.
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Sign of the times!!!! I remember when you had to go to the café in town and look at the chalk board to get your official info.
Now on another note I was impressed that they were doing everything they could. My car was all inspected in the parking lot if we got to the salt we were ready.
Thank You SCTA/BNI for doing all you could Do!!!!!!!!!! Donnie Stringfellow
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Well, is it time to close this topic? Maybe - but I'll give it 'til tomorrow so that anyone that wants to have a last word can do so. but then -- you're right, this poor horse has been beaten within an inch of it's life.
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What's next hack into the Amber Alert System and have "Speedweek Cancelled" flashing on every interstate Amber Alert sign but wait what about the people taking the state roads and surface roads... ok not a good idea. :cheers:
BR
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In re: the potholes Dan mentioned. While I didn't find them during my excursion to and from the pits, a bit of thinking has led me to wonder if they might be small (inch size) places where the salt crust was very thin. The water bubbled up or drained down to and through the dirt beneath, and as it did it dissolved some salt and displaced some of the mud - to make a hole, pot sized or not. This implies that it's more of a natural condition than one caused by any driving over the submerged surface.
But I'm not trying to sneak around being one that might have contributed to the salt's poor condition once it dries out. Access was restricted for good reason, and I'm glad I didn't have any reason to make another trip out there.
Back to washing the brakes. :roll:
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I am concerned that some people are jumping to unwarranted conclusions on this topic.
First --- it is not the SCTA's job to notify the entire world when things hit the fan!
They did a very good job getting the word out through the most effective channels available for a very difficult situation.
If you did not get the word --- news flash it is your responsibility to tap into one of those channels and work out your own notification system in the future.
If you can log onto this forum, you already have all the tools you need (posted above in multiple posts) to get the word out to your crew or have someone at home get the word to you. Take responsibility for your own notification and use the resources you already have.
It really is not that difficult folks, we all need to be responsible for our own due diligence regarding what is going on at Bonneville when we are anticipating spending hundreds of dollars (or much more) for fuel or airfare.
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We'll get "younger" people involved as soon as they get enough money....and then they will be "old" like most of us who now can afford it.....
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Just saw on scta-world finals extended 3 days (on the front end :-D
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Jimmy, I'm one of the "younger" generation I hear mentioned at times on the forum. I darn sure can't afford it, but I make sacrifices to make it happen.
I don't know who said it, but I've heard many times, "You only get so many Speed Weeks". I try to live by that mantra.
I envy the guys that have been going out there for 30 or 40+ years. So much knowledge and so many great stories.
That being said, the cancellation was an unfortunate thing and it affected many people adversely. I'm lucky in that my drive is rather short (450 miles one way). The only thing we can do is buckle down, keep working, and hope the weather is more favorable next year.
Inevitably the weather will not cooperate, but that is just one risk you take when you build a machine to perform at top speed and then drive out into the middle of nowhere to test it.
Just my 2 cents.
Joe
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It seems that Heather Black is doing a better job updating the SCTA FaceBook page than the official SCTA website is being done, looks like we need to give her a raise and take it from the people that are not updating the "official" SCTA page.
John,
I agree with your observation as that is mine also. Thank you Heather.
Tom G.
Here is the latest from facebook vs. SCTA Homepage.
Facebook post 20 hrs ago.
SCTA Southern California Timing Association
20 hours ago · Edited
SPEED WEEK AT WORLD FINALS:
SCTA announces Speed Week at World Finals 2014. The SCTA is responding to requests by our racers to expand the normal World Finals to one full week of racing due to the rain out at the regularly scheduled Speed Week. Your Board is listening and we are going to give the racers and LSR fans what they want. We are working on the details, stay connected to get the most... See More
SCTA Website Homepage as of now,
Speedweek 2014
CANCELLED
Salt Report Thursday Aug 14
Dear SCTA-BNI Racers and Fans
As you know the Board had a very tough decision to cancel this year’s Century of Speed celebration at this year’s SpeedWeek. In order for all of the competitors and fans to completely understand our reasoning so we are providing this explanation of the process involved in the cancellation decision. Read the whole message here
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Two things . . .
The holes in the salt I saw were 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Made for a bumpy ride. Whether they're self-healing, I don't know.
The Associated Press told me the other day that 41% of the people in the U.S. are on (or use?) Facebook. Huge number!!! Less than a majority. (Or maybe I read that on the internet thing -- it's gotta be right, right?.)
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Speaking of faceBook Mike Cook Jr. just posted a short report of the wet salt and some Pictures of the courses and the end of road.
Richard 2
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we have been watching and seeing various posts on facebook the past few days from
salt regarding, Buckeye Bullett-FIA-current salt reports etc....
its nice to see the various reports...thanks guys and gals
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Link to the Mike Jr report, please. :-D
Mike
Never mind. Easy find with Bing. Unfortunately you have to sign into your account to see it :x
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But the shootout site doesn't need a log-in. https://www.facebook.com/CookLSS (https://www.facebook.com/CookLSS). Buckeye Bullet scheduled for FIA runs on the 18th.
Mike
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Mike Cook Jr said I could repost his post here.
Still a little wet this is the International course.
The BNI track has some standing water and the pits and return road are still under water
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More from Mike Cook Jr; Going off the salt still a lot of water to drive into.
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Thank you, sir! (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Miscellaneous%20stuff/notworthy.gif) (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Miscellaneous%20stuff/notworthy.gif) (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee171/4-BarrelMike/Miscellaneous%20stuff/notworthy.gif)
Mike :-D
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It was a challenge, but I did it.
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The Associated Press told me the other day that 41% of the people in the U.S. are on (or use?) Facebook. Huge number!!! Less than a majority. (Or maybe I read that on the internet thing -- it's gotta be right, right?.)
Is that enough for a quorum Stan?
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Regarding salt condition, I was one of the few that went out there on Saturday morning and I was one of the even fewer that stuck around to pick things up. If courses 1 & 2 were smooth and runnable before the storms hit then the storms is likely what ruined them. They were full of pits and pot holes and really just looked terrible. There was so much run off flow from the mountains to the north that the top of the salt was covered in silt. It was more brown/tan than white. I think the massive run off is what probably rutted out the courses as well. I think it's going to take significant repair work before either of those courses are usable again. Also, we spent the better part of Friday up in the hills above the salt. We took the road around the salt until it was washed out and then we drove up the wash as far as we could which was a ways. I have never seen such massive run off erosion in the middle of the desert before. There were parts of the wash that we're so blown out the it was taller than the lifted truck we were in. There was a LOT of water coming down from those hills/mountains.
The good news was that courses 3 & 4 looked great... like amazingly good. They were under water of course but the salt was thick and hard. The one good thing about standing water on the salt is that it promotes salt growth. One courses 1 & 2 it was so silty and soft that you could walk around bare foot and it was like walking on a muddy lake shore. On courses 3 & 4 it was like walking on the sharpest of sharp coral reef. There were huge new salt crystals forming and those sob's felt like razor blades on bare feet. We looked like we were stepping on hot coals or something.
I'm not sure where the pumped over brine for the salt replacement comes in from but it looked clear to me that there is a significant increase in salt thickness on courses 3 & 4 and even to the south closer towards the highway. Like it was hard and thick. It was like concrete. In the really good spots you couldn't even see brown muck between the big patches of salt like you see most other places where the salt is thin. I went over to the saldero dike and the salt was thick and firm almost all the way to the dirt. In years past, you couldn't get within 10 or 20 feet of the dike with breaking through to the mud below. I'm literally shocked at how good it was over there.
It was the strangest thing going all the way to wendover only to futs around for a couple days and then pack up and go home. I understand that wf has been extended to make for speed week round two but I seriously wonder how many people can actually afford to try and make a second speed week. A lot of the guys I spoke with said they blew it all coming to wendover and wouldn't be back until next year. I guess at this point all I can hope for is that wf even happens.
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Thanks Nathan :cheers:
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Thanks for the first hand---I am sure you have hit it square on the nose!!!
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Nathan:
Thanks for exploring up in the hills and finding out about the silt. PP and I noticed it (as mentioned before this) and wondered where the heck it came from. In the pits the stuff, while on the salt surface underwater, was like the mud on the bottom of a stagnant pool or lake. I had guessed it might have been from upwelling of water through holes in the salt -- your explanation seems more likely than mine. It leaves me with the question, though, if running on the courses that have lots of that will, when it dries out, be like running at EM -- lots and lots of dust. :?
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This just in! If you send an extra $10 in with your entry, a carrier pigeon and a roll of paper will be purchased on your behalf in the event that a scheduling change has happened and you are one of the few people not getting the word from numerous other sources. You will have to make sure you keep a GPS locator on your person at all times so that your carrier knows how to find you. Don't say we aren't problem solvers!
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lol :cheers:
Mike
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It leaves me with the question, though, if running on the courses that have lots of that will, when it dries out, be like running at EM -- lots and lots of dust.
If you remember back during the ShootOut a few years ago (2011) that whole starting line area was a drab brown color due to mud mixed with the salt. That year I took some salt samples to measure the thickness and you could see thin bands of brown in the salt crust. I think over time it will merge into the salt and slowly migrate to the bottom of the salt deposit.
This is one of those salt samples I took near the timing trailer.
http://bonnevillesaltwatch.org/page2/timing_stand_MCS_2071_MCSO_11.jpg
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Larry: I sure do remember. I didn't see your post 'til I started this one, but I'll assume what you're referring to is what is also called "potato chips". Ah, yes, the variations in the salt.
And then -- hey, Sandee. Do you mean we're going to each be given a roll of unh, mmm, aahhh, toilet paper? It'd have two purposes that way as well as being plenty long enough to take down message after message. Thanks for the new technique. PS If you'd like your location changed I can do it -- but then, so can you. Let me know if and what you'd prefer. :-D
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The silt over courses one and two seems to be about 2" thick in some spots and was slick as snot. Several of us almost fell while walking on it. Nathans description of courses three and four is pretty accurate! I think my paws are still a bit sore.
Nathan I sent you an email pic yesterday of Jeff. Did you get it? Its a cool pic.
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Here's one of the last items that'll be posted on this topic. It's from Bob Drury to Heather Black. Bob asked me to post it because it was sent to her as a PM and he, being somewhat computer challenged, didn't know how to post it. There are a few things I know better than Bob, it seems, 'cause here it is:
"Heather, thank you for your input on the communications issue.
My initial post was meant as a personal rant of frustration from two days of visiting fellow racers in the parking lots and restaurants throughout Wendover.
Allthough it may seem to some that I had or have a vendetta against Scott (whom I have never met) or trying to have whomever was involved in the communication decisions lynched that wasn't my goal or agenda.
In truth, I saw Scott doing a TV interview while I was trying to find a current weather forcast on Friday night. I was very impressed with his calm, professional demeanor and thought it was the best presentation ever by a SCTA official.
I don't know if the decision was made by him or a committee or anyone else and have never had any negative thoughts about any SCTA personel having only met a few. I have never met or talked with Scott, nor seen him in person.
I usually try not to be a rabble rouser but in this instance I knew that someone had to ignite discussion before hopefully the W.O.S. which I realize is not put on by us, and the W.F.'s.
What I was hoping for was a factual discussion looking for ideas to be quickly forwarded to SCTA officials and hoping for a quick clarification of our communicaltion policies and have a final declaration sent to all SCTA/BNI members.
I can live with whatever is agreed on but it needs to be done ASAP, and not after two months of mulling over be committee, et al.
I won't deny that I first and foremost believe if at all possible, the use of mobile accessable phone recorded messages as the
First line on communication, followed by the SCTA website and then F.B. and any other means available including this forum.
In hindsight, I wish I had not been quite so inflamitory in my opening post but I felt I needed to somehow prod others to get off their butts and offer their suggestions rather that whine about it for the next ten years but take no action.
I knew going in that I wouldn't make many new friends but was willing to take that risk to try and get this issue resolved asap.
In closing, I just want to say how much I appreciate your input and with a name behind it, I definatley RESPECT YOU MORE!!!
I hope to meet you soon , and offer a hug...........
"One Run" Bob Drury (and I mean it) :cheers:"
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SSS - in my experience it seems that the salt is always at least a lil damp and never actually dry. Because of this I doubt the mucky silt would ever dry out enough to actually become dusty. It's going to take significant work to repair courses 1 & 2 IMO and in that process I'd imagine that most the silt would be scraped off during dragging anyways.
Sandee - yes got the pic and fwd'd it to my brother. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Jon, thanx for posting that for me, and Heather, forgive me for posting what was a private message. I decided to post it yesterday when things seemed to be headed towards .......... well where none of us wants to go in a effort to tone the discussion down. I gave up after an hour of frustration and asked Jon to post it for me.
In closing I want to reiterate that I have full faith in our elected SCTA/BNI Officials, and all the support folks who make are sport the fastest, safest, friendlist, and Best Racing Venue in the World.
Thanks again to all who posted,
Bob Drury
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Nathan,
Thank you for your observations and all the hard work and travel you, and a lot of other guys put into the 2014 Speedweek the never was. :cry:
At this point, our team will just register and plan for the next event possible, and repeat.
I have only been involved with LSR and Bonneville for a blink of an eye (since 2011, with Skoda UK), compared to the Decades represented by so many Salt Junkies. That said, I plan to stick around. Being a bystander and complaining is not in my blood...
Sitting in Wendover, frustrated, for two days last weekend gave me time to think about all this. My friends and I perhaps, ARE the young blood alluded to previously in this thread... I plan to begin participating and adding people, influence, and sheer will to the USFRA board, beginning immediately. I don't know what else to do...
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Just decompressing (but not unloaded yet) from my 5100mile commute to Wendover. On cancellation day texting to my son, who is a world class birder/ornithologist who works for the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology I mentioned I thought this was an El Nino year (like 1982 when I did the same, drive to Wendover and have entire meet cancelled). He said that if Peruvian Boobies go north to Panama, that this = El Nino. So if anyone sees a Peruvian Booby north of Peru, don't plan on racing. I think there was one in the sewage treatment plant in west Wendover. :cheers:
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Jack, what you saw was probably one of the foreign girls that works at the strip club in W. Wendover. :evil:
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Jack, what you saw was probably one of the foreign girls that works at the strip club in W. Wendover. :evil:
LOL. I considered that in the differential.
Nice to meet you at the end of the road Saturday, Slim.
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Jack, what you saw was probably one of the foreign girls that works at the strip club in W. Wendover. :evil:
I think we need a "like" option on this forum.
Jimmy Six, this is when something catches our attention, but we don't want commit a post to acknowledging it, just a "like". In this case I thought it was lulzy having been to the strip club in Wendover.
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SSS, that's good, I thought I knew what a boooobie was.
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Slim ... you can be counted on to take the edge off a tense moment.
Joe
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The address of the strip club would be some useful information in my opinion. JC
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Just try to get lost in Wendover.
FREUD
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Jack, what you saw was probably one of the foreign girls that works at the strip club in W. Wendover. :evil:
I think we need a "like" option on this forum.
Couldn't agree more on the like option.
Haven't seen any Boobies flying around down my way, we might be safe. :evil:
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http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/blue-footed-booby/ :cheers:
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http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/blue-footed-booby/ :cheers:
Those boobies must be from the Utah side of Wendover.
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This was the rain storm that really added to the mess up on the salt.
This is what it was like in the parking lot at the 6.
FREUD
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You go over 60 into a headwind with a top like that and you won't be the owner for long.
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All he wanted to do was get out of the rain.
FREUD
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some wet picture from Saturday
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getting deeper....
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home and dry.....nearly..... :roll:
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some wet picture from Saturday
Which Saturday?
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some wet picture from Saturday
Which Saturday?
9th August...... :cry:
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A lot can happen in the past 2 weeks. What is it like now?
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A lot can happen in the past 2 weeks. What is it like now?
see: http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,14327.0.html
They are running now.
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Somewhere Goggles found my address.
The cats hid from him.
He threatened to return next year.
It's time to relocate.
FREUD
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Great pic Freud.
Nice shirt James. :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks for the link Jack. I don't understand why USFRA won't update their website with conditions. Only 2 weeks to go.
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Saltfever, I spoke with Ellen yesterday and she told me we'll (USFRA) have people there this weekend. Wayno
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Thanks, Wayno. :cheers:
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Thanks for the link Jack. I don't understand why USFRA won't update their website with conditions. Only 2 weeks to go.
I don't know for sure but this was hashed out a lot with the SW cancellation and difficulty posting quickly to websites as opposed to Facebook, twitter (Twitface :- ) etc. There are many pages of angst about that in this thread. Check the USFRA FB page I guess. I don't do FB so no help otherwise but I think you can get to it without being a "member".
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cuz the conditions today doesnt mean jack squat...
if USFRA thinks there is info we need, they WILL post it...
there has ALREADY BEEN UPDATES from USFRA, SCTA, Mike Cook Shootout
etal....regarding conditions as recently as the past few hours....
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Thanks Joe!! :roll:
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Thanks for the link Jack. I don't understand why USFRA won't update their website with conditions. Only 2 weeks to go.
OR - it's still two weeks out.
If it's really crucial, give 'em a call - 801-485-2662
Like SCTA, it's a volunteer organization. Most of the members don't live any closer than SLC.
They were out last weekend, and I was told 2 and 3 were in decent shape, the pits were trashed, and the 1 was unusable.
I was also told they're going to work to see that the event happens.
And if it rains on the Friday before like it did on August 8th, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles.
The best bet is to control what you can. Get the vehicle ready, double check everything, and if it's a go, be ready to go.
I know it's a tough pill if you're trying to make plans. I had Speedweek on the books for a year, bought the rooms in February, drove 1600 miles to an event that got rained out, made arrangements to leave the car, the trailer and the race car in Utah, and caught a flight home.
I'll be back on the 5th. If it rains, well, I had to pick up the car anyway.
Ya payz yo monee and ya takez yo chancez . . .
:|
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Guys, I get it and agree with your basic premise about Bonneville’s unpredictable weather. I have left the Nugget in what appeared a monsoon and arrived a few minutes later at the track sunny, dry, and hot. Summer T-storms there are micro-climates and highly localized. At the same time, on a hot day I have seen the evaporation rate exceed 4” in 8 hours. Having current conditions and a long range forecast gives me confidence in making or canceling reservations. If I had waited for the SCTA’s official SW announcement it would have cost me Hundred$$$ in cancellation fees. Rooms and cars add up . . . planes not so much.
The current weather should blow through by Saturday. After that, the long range forecast shows no precipitation for the next 10 days. If it is in the 90’s during that time conditions will be perfect. The forecast temps are cooler though which makes me a little more cautious.
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I still think your confused , based upon your misguided analysis of SCTA's decision making at SW....
The veterans who we're there werent suckers....
forecast means nothing compared to boots on the ground
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I still think your confused , based upon your misguided analysis of SCTA's decision making at SW....
The veterans who we're there werent suckers....
forecast means nothing compared to boots on the ground
My point is that it's too early to post a sentry at Land's End with a hot spot and a lap top.
One has to proceed under the assumption that the event will take place.
Misguided? We race metal vehicles on the most caustic surface on the planet.
The whole premise is misguided! :-D
:cheers:
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Chris and others:
I'll mention again that USFRA commonly has the pits pretty near the start line (vs. down track as does SCTA). Therefore the fact that the pits are not useable (assume that it's the SCTA pits) - it probably won't be an issue for World of Speed. I hope. :roll:
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Milwaukee ...my response was aimed at the post directly above mine "salt fever "
it's just that ...salt fever , not the person ...:)...causes some hysteria that we fa feel good about our endeavors or not based on forecasts , reports etal
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1403756719838042
https://m.facebook.com/bonnevillespeedtrials?slog=316&seq=1955428627&rk=0&fbtype=65
Now leave me alone , I have some radar loops to perpetually stream and surfing for reports to keep up on....(fully knowing that it does not F'ing matter)
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:cheers:
Joea, hope you can make it out - worst case scenario, we'll tip beers in the parking lot of the Rainbow!
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We all would love to know what is going to happen in the future... that is what some are asking...
Last year we were notified the WoS was cancelled several days before the event, we were only 200 miles from home, we turned around and went home to cry in our beers.
The USFRA WILL GET the WORD OUT...
I will be on the road Tuesday before the event, I left our car is in Denver, 500 fewer miles to tow.
I think this horse has expired
I will lock it within 24 hours.... :x
SpeedWeek is over, it got cancelled due to weather, the SCTA did all they could to make it happen, they have decided to try for a longer World Finals, there is a WoS thread out there if you have to keep wondering what the weather is going to do... Lets move on
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You're right -- it's time for this one to end and have us move to the WoS topic that's going. A couple of days ago I said I'd shut it off - and I didn't follow through. I gave a day's notice then, too. So, sir - I'll let you do the honors this time. See you at WoS (or the WoS topic).
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Agreed
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:-D :cheers:
Received my refund (less the course prep fee) today, great job SCTA :cheers: